Abstract:

A pigment-dispersed composition includes (a) a high-molecular compound
containing at least one kind of repeating unit selected from repeating
units each represented by the following Formula (I) or (II), (b) a
pigment, and (c) an organic solvent, wherein, in Formulae (I) and (II),
R1 to R6 each represent a hydrogen atom or another group;
X1 and X2 each represent --CO--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--,
--OC(═O)--, or a phenylene group; L1 and L2 each represent
a single bond or a divalent organic linking group; A1 and A2
each represent a monovalent organic group; m and n each represent an
integer of from 2 to 8; and p and q each represent an integer of from 1
to 100. Also disclosed is a pigment-dispersed composition containing (A)
a graft high-molecular polymer in which acrylic acid is copolymerized at
a proportion of from 5% by mass to 30% by mass in the main chain thereof,
(B) a pigment, and (C) an organic solvent.
##STR00001##

Claims:

1. A pigment-dispersed composition comprising:(a) a high-molecular
compound comprising at least one kind of repeating unit selected from
repeating units each represented by the following Formula (I) or (II);(b)
a pigment; and(c) an organic solvent, ##STR00040## wherein, in Formulae
(I) and (II), R1 to R6 each independently represent a hydrogen
atom or a monovalent organic group; X1 and X2 each
independently represent --CO--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--, --OC(═O)--,
or a phenylene group; L1 and L2 each independently represent a
single bond or a divalent organic linking group; A1 and A2 each
independently represent a monovalent organic group; m and n each
independently represent an integer of from 2 to 8; and p and q each
independently represent an integer of from 1 to 100.

2. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 1, wherein the (a)
high-molecular compound has at least one acidic group at a side chain in
the range of from 50 mgKOH/g to 200 mgKOH/g.

3. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 1, wherein the (a)
high-molecular compound has a heterocyclic group at a side chain.

4. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 1, wherein the
pigment-dispersed composition is used to form a colored region of a color
filter.

9. A pigment-dispersed composition comprising:(A) a graft high-molecular
polymer in which acrylic acid is copolymerized at a proportion of from 5%
by mass to 30% by mass in the main chain thereof;(B) a pigment; and(C) an
organic solvent.

10. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 9, wherein the
(A) graft high-molecular polymer in which acrylic acid is copolymerized
at a proportion of from 5% by mass to 30% by mass in the main chain
thereof further comprises a heterocyclic structure at a side chain, and
has a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 100,000.

11. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 9, wherein the
average primary particle diameter of the (B) pigment is in the range of
from 10 to 25 nm.

12. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 9, further
comprising (D) a basic graft high-molecular compound.

13. The pigment-dispersed composition according to claim 9, wherein the
value obtained by dividing the total mass of high-molecular compound
contained in the pigment-dispersed composition by the total mass of the
(B) pigment and any (E) pigment derivatives is 0.55 or smaller.

14. A photocurable composition comprising:the pigment-dispersed
composition of any one of claim 9;(F) a polymerizable compound; and(G) a
photopolymerization initiator.

15. The photocurable composition according to claim 14, wherein the
concentration of the pigment is 35% by mass or higher.

16. A color filter comprising a colored pattern manufactured by using the
photocurable composition of claim 14.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present invention relates to a pigment-dispersed composition, a
colored photosensitive composition including the pigment-dispersed
composition, a color filter having a colored region formed from the
colored photosensitive composition, and furthermore, a liquid crystal
display device using the color filter and a solid-state image pickup
device using the color filter. The invention also relates to a
pigment-dispersed composition which has excellent pigment dispersibility,
and which offers excellent flowability, coloring power and the like of
the pigment-dispersed composition and a photocurable composition, and
which can be used suitably in a broad range such as a paint, a print ink
and a color display panel, a photocurable composition including the same
and a color filter produced using the photocurable composition.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]A color filter is produced by preparing a colored photosensitive
composition containing a pigment-dispersed composition in which an
organic pigment or an inorganic pigment is dispersed, a polyfunctional
monomer, a polymerization initiator, an alkali-soluble resin, and other
components, and forming a colored pattern by using the composition
according to a photolithography method or an ink jet method.

[0003]In recent years, there is a trend for applications of color filters
used in liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) to expand beyond monitors
towards television (TVs). With this trend towards expanded applications,
the color filters are desired to have high color quality with respect to
chromaticity, and contrast. Similarly, color filters used in image
sensors (solid-state image pickup devices) have begun to be desired to
have high color quality such as reduced color unevenness and improved
color resolution.

[0004]In order to satisfy the desires, the pigment contained in the
colored photosensitive composition or the photocurable composition is
desired to be dispersed in a finer state (improved dispersibility), and
in stable state (improved dispersion stability). When dispersibility of
the pigment is insufficient, problems arise in that colored pixels formed
by a photolithographic method has a fringe (serration at an edge) or
surface irregularities, the amount of residual matter (residue) remaining
after development on the substrate is large, the chromaticity or
dimensional precision of a manufactured color filter is thus reduced, and
contrast thereof is remarkably deteriorated. In a case in which the
dispersion stability of the pigment is insufficient, problems tend to
arise in a production process of the color filter particularly in that
uniformity of film thickness in a coating process of the colored
photosensitive composition or the photocurable composition decreases,
sensitivity at an light exposure process decreases, or alkali solubility
in a development process decreases. Furthermore, in a case in which the
dispersion stability of the pigment is poor, there is a problem in that
components of the colored photosensitive composition aggregate and raise
the viscosity with time, which leads to an extremely short pot-life. In
order to solve such problems, a polymer-type pigment dispersant in which
an organic dye structure and a polymer are bonded to each other, for
example, is presented (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
(JP-A) No. 2008-009426). Although fine-sized pigment particles are
effective in improving color properties, such as contrast, of a color
filter, the fine diameter of the pigment particles leads to an increase
in the surface area of the pigment particles, increases aggregation force
between pigment particles, and often makes it difficult to achieve both
of dispersibility and dispersion stability at high levels.

[0005]The following techniques for fining pigment particles are known.

[0006]In general, a method whereby a pigment, a water-soluble inorganic
salt, and a water-soluble organic solvent which does not substantially
dissolve the inorganic salt are mechanically kneaded by using a kneader
or the like (salt milling method) is commonly known as a method for
fining primary particles of a pigment. The resultant mixture containing
fine pigment primary particles is added to water, and agitated using a
mixer or the like to form a slurry. Next, the slurry is filtered, washed
with water, and dried, as a result of which a fine pigment in the form of
a secondary aggregate, which is an aggregate of the pigment primary
particles, is obtained. A dispersing process using an ordinary dispersing
machine such as a sand mill or a ball mill is a process whereby the
secondary aggregate, which is an aggregate of the pigment primary
particles, are crumbled to obtain a dispersion in a state close to a
primary particle state.

[0007]Although fine pigment primary particles are obtained by, for
example, the above method, various pigment dispersants have been
developed in order to enhance the dispersibility and dispersion stability
of the primary particles.

[0009]In addition, JP-A No. 2003-238837, for example, proposes a
high-molecular compound which has a polymer structure of a vinyl compound
such as styrene or an alkyl(meth)acrylate as a graft chain, and which
further has a heterocyclic structure at a side chain, for the purpose of
improving dispersibility and alkali-developability.

[0010]However, these methods are still insufficient for addressing
market's demands for further improved contrast, and fine pigments are
desired to have still higher dispersibility and dispersion stability.

[0011]In the production of a color filter using a photocurable composition
containing a pigment-dispersed composition, the photocurable composition
is applied to and dried on a substrate or a substrate on which a
light-shielding layer of a desired pattern has been formed in advance,
and the resultant dry coating film is thereafter irradiated with a
radiation (hereinafter referred to as "light exposure") in a desired
pattern and developed to obtain pixels of each color.

[0012]However, a color filter thus produced has a problem in that residue
and background staining tend to be generated on the substrate or
light-shielding layer at regions that have not exposed to light during
the development process, and pixels that have been post-baked after
development have inferior film coating properties, such as inferior
surface smoothness. Moreover, the degree of the residue, background
staining, and surface smoothness deterioration on the substrate or the
light-shielding layer tend to be more remarkable as the concentration of
the pigment contained in the photocurable composition increases.
Therefore, it has been difficult to achieve sufficient color density with
conventional photocurable compositions for color filters.

[0013]Moreover, a pigment-dispersed composition is known (refer to
Japanese Patent No. 3094403 and JP-A No. 2004-287409) in which a
block-type, random-type, or linear high-molecular compound to which
acrylic acid is introduced is used as an alkali-soluble resin for the
purpose of imparting an alkali-developability. However, this is still
insufficient to achieve both of dispersibility of the pigment and
developability when applied to a curable composition for forming a
pattern of a color filter or the like.

[0014]Furthermore, with an increase in the size of the substrate in recent
years, a slit coating method is studied as a coating method. In
comparison with conventional spin coating, slit coating has advantages in
that slit coating provides excellent thickness uniformity of the coating
film and reduces wasted coating liquid.

[0015]However, with slit coating, a coating liquid is exposed to the
outside air at the slit aperture of the head tip, and thus drying or
solidification of the coating liquid (photocurable composition) occurs
easily at the head tip. The solidified coating liquid causes clogging of
the slit nozzle and longitudinal streak unevenness of a coating film
coated on a transparent substrate (coating streak along the coating
direction).

[0016]In addition, the solidified coating liquid detaches from the head
tip portion, and causes decrease of coating quality such as incorporation
as unwanted matter into an applied coating film. In order to avoid this,
it is requested that dried or precipitated photocurable composition
properties such that it dissolves rapidly when contacting with a coating
liquid (hereinafter referred to as "dry film redissolvability").

[0017]In order to ameliorate these problems, a method in which a
surfactant or a dispersant such as a resinous dispersant is used is known
(for example, refer to JP-A No. 2003-294935 and JP-A No. 2001-164142).
However, use of these dispersants causes problems such as reduction in
the strength of a coating film, reduction in developability, reduction in
the adhesiveness to a substrate such as glass, and reduction in
durability. Furthermore, it has been difficult to achieve both of
excellence in dispersion stability of a photocurable composition and dry
film redissolvability of a coating liquid, and provision of strong
adhesiveness between a coating film and a substrate such as glass.

[0018]In addition, a color filter is required to have high color density
as the film is made thinner in recent years. In order to form a color
filter having high color density, the concentration of colorant used in a
colored resin composition to be used needs to be increased. However, a
problem arises in that components contributing to image formation
properties such as solubility in an alkali developer liquid relatively
decrease, and the originally possessed image formation properties are
lost. In order to solve such problems, use of a dispersant having both a
dispersing function and a binder function has been tried aiming at
maintaining image formation properties while maintaining a high colorant
concentration. Furthermore, a pigment-dispersed composition in which a
linear high-molecular compound of block-type, random-type, or the like
having acrylic acid introduced thereto is used as an alkali-soluble resin
is known (refer to JP-A No. 2004-287409). However, sufficient
dispersibility has not yet been achieved, particularly in the case of
extremely fine pigments.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0019]The invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and
aims at achieving the following objects.

[0020]Specifically, a first object of the invention is to provide a
pigment-dispersed composition in which a fined pigment is dispsersed in
the form of primary particles and the dispersed pigment primary particles
are maintained stably, and with which a colored coating film having
excellent contrast can be formed.

[0021]A second object of the invention is to provide a colored
photosensitive composition which includes the pigment-dispersed
composition, and which has excellent coating properties, and with which a
colored cured film having excellent contrast can be formed.

[0022]A third object of the invention is to provide a color filter that is
formed using the colored photosensitive composition, and that has a
colored region which has high contrast and excellent color properties,
and in which color density unevenness is small, and a liquid crystal
display device and a solid-state image pickup device, each of which has
the color filter.

[0023]A fourth object of the invention is to provide a pigment dispersion
liquid that has excellent dispersion stability, and a photocurable
composition in which the pigment dispersion liquid is used, and which has
excellent self-solubility when aggregated or solidified at a tip portion
of a coating liquid discharge aperture of a slit coating device (dry film
redissolvability), and which has favorable solubility in a developer
liquid and excellent developability, and with which generation of
development residue is suppressed.

[0024]A fifth object of the invention is to provide a high-quality color
filter having a colored pattern formed using the photocurable
composition, and a liquid crystal display device which has the color
filter, and which has excellent color reproducibility and high contrast,
and a solid-state image pickup device which has the color filter, and
which has high resolution, and in which color unevenness is small.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0025]The first to third objects of the invention may be achieved by the
following means.

[0026]Specifically, a pigment-dispersed composition according to a first
aspect of the invention includes (a) a high-molecular compound containing
at least one kind of repeating unit selected from repeating units each
represented by the following Formula (I) or (II) described below, (b) a
pigment, and (c) an organic solvent.

##STR00002##

[0027]In Formulae (I) and (II), R1 to R6 each independently
represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; X1 and
X2 each independently represent --CO--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--,
--OC(═O)-- or a phenylene group; L1 and L2 each
independently represent a single bond or a divalent organic linking
group; A1 and A2 each independently represent a monovalent
organic group; m and n each independently represent an integer of from 2
to 8; and p and q each independently represent an integer of from 1 to
100.

[0028]In the first aspect, the (a) high-molecular compound preferably has
at least one acidic group at a side chain in the range of from 50 mgKOH/g
to 200 mgKOH/g.

[0029]It is preferable that the (a) high-molecular compound has a
heterocyclic group at a side chain.

[0030]Furthermore, the pigment-dispersed composition according to the
first aspect is preferably used to form a colored region of a color
filter.

[0031]The colored photosensitive composition according to the first aspect
includes the pigment-dispersed composition according to the first aspect,
a photopolymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator.

[0032]The color filter according to the first aspect has a colored region
formed from the colored photosensitive composition according to the first
aspect, on a substrate.

[0033]The liquid crystal display device and the solid-state image pickup
device according to the first aspect each have the color filter according
to the first aspect.

[0034]The actions in the first aspect are not clear, but are presumed to
be as follows.

[0035]Specifically, it is understood that the (a) high-molecular compound
that functions as a pigment dispersant contains a repeating unit
represented by Formula (I) or (II), thus having a specific graft chain
structure. Although the graft chain structure has low affinity for
pigment, the graft chain structure has high affinity for the (c) organic
solvent that is also present in the pigment-dispersed composition.
Therefore, the graft chain portion is able to take a structure in which
the graft chain portion stretches toward the organic solvent side instead
of being adsorbed on the surface of the (b) pigment. Namely, it is
thought that, due to the high affinity of the graft chain structure for
the solvent, the (a) high-molecular compound according to the first
aspect takes a stretched structure when coexisting with the (b) pigment
and the (c) organic solvent, and is efficiently adsorbed on the pigment
surface, as a result of which the stable dispersion of the pigment in the
organic solvent is maintained.

[0036]In contrast, in the case of a graft chain structure having high
affinity to pigment but low affinity for solvent, the graft chain portion
is adsorbed on the pigment surface, and thus cannot take a structure in
which the graft chain portion stretches toward the organic solvent side.
Therefore, it is thought that a high-molecular compound having a graft
chain of this kind takes a contracted structure when coexisting with a
pigment and an organic solvent, the high-molecular compound is not
efficiently adsorbed on the pigment surface, and thus aggregation of the
pigment occurs.

[0037]In the case of a ω-carboxypolycaprolactone monomethacrylate
copolymer described in JP-A No. 2004-287409, terminal groups of graft
chains are carboxyl groups that exhibit strong interaction, as a result
of which the graft chains are adsorbed on the pigment surface, and the
structure of the high-molecular compound is in a contracted state.
Therefore, the effect in dispersing pigment cannot be exerted
sufficiently.

[0038]In a preferable embodiment, the (a) high-molecular compound
according to the first aspect has a heterocyclic group at a side chain,
in which case the heterocyclic structure exhibits strong electrostatic
interaction with the (b) pigment; as a result, the high-molecular
compound is strongly adsorbed on the pigment surface, thereby effectively
crumbling secondary aggregates, and maintaining a stable dispersion
state.

[0039]Use of a color filter formed from a pigment-dispersed composition in
which the (b) pigment is dispersed by the (a) high-molecular compound
solves problems of clouding of colored regions (pixel portions) under
high temperature and high humidity, and clouding of a colored regions
(pixel portions) during production of a color filter. These problems are
considered to be phenomena caused by aggregation and crystal growth of
fine pigment particles in the filter to grow a crystal, and smaller
pigment primary particles are more likely to cause the phenomena. In the
first aspect, a pigment-dispersed composition in which the dispersibility
of the (b) pigment is improved by using the (a) high-molecular compound
as described above is used. Since the (a) high-molecular compound is
strongly adsorbed on the fine pigment, aggregation of pigment particles
is effectively suppressed even in colored regions (pixel portions). As a
result, the problem of the clouding of the colored regions (pixel
portions) is suppressed, and colored regions (pixel portions) having
excellent contrast can be formed.

[0040]Furthermore, a colored photosensitive composition in which a
pigment-dispersed composition containing the (b) pigment-dispersed by the
(a) high-molecular compound is used exhibits excellent coating properties
(coating unevenness does not occur). The reason thereof is thought to be
as follows: since the graft chain structure of the (a) high-molecular
compound has high affinity for the (c) organic solvent as described
above, the high-molecular compound takes a stretched structure, thereby
improving coating film formation properties.

[0041]It is thought that, because the ω-carboxypolycaprolactone
monomethacrylate copolymer of JP-A No. 2004-287409 has graft chains of
which terminal groups are carboxyl groups exhibiting strong interaction,
and because the polymer of a vinyl compound of JP-A No. 2003-238837 has a
structure in which the graft chain has low affinity for organic solvent,
the structures of both polymer compounds are in contracted states, and
thus coating film formation properties are low, as a result of which it
is difficult to improve coating properties.

[0042]With regard to the fourth and fifth objects, the inventors have
conducted earnest study, and, as a result, found that the objects can be
solved by using a pigment-dispersed composition containing (A) a graft
high-molecular polymer compound having acrylic acid in the main chain
thereof, (B) a pigment, and (C) an organic solvent, thereby arriving at
the invention.

[0043]Specifically, the fourth and fifth objects of the invention are
achieved by the means described below.

[0044]A pigment-dispersed composition according to the second aspect of
the invention contains (A) a graft high-molecular polymer in which
acrylic acid is copolymerized at a proportion of from 5% by mass to 30%
by mass in the main chain thereof, (B) a pigment, and (C) an organic
solvent.

[0045]The photocurable composition according to the second aspect includes
the pigment-dispersed composition according to the second aspect, (F) a
polymerizable compound, and (G) a photopolymerization initiator.

[0046]The color filter according to the second aspect is a color filter
produced using the photocurable composition according to the second
aspect.

[0047]The liquid crystal display device according to the second aspect is
a liquid crystal display device in which the color filter according to
the second aspect is used.

[0048]The solid-state image pickup device according to the second aspect
is a solid-state image pickup device in which the color filter according
to the second aspect is used.

[0049]The actions in the second aspect are not clear, but presumed to be
as follows.

[0050]The (A) graft high-molecular compound having acrylic acid in the
main chain thereof contained in the pigment-dispersed composition
according to the second aspect has acrylic acid in the main chain
thereof, and is of a graft-type. The acrylic acid in the main chain has
higher polarity than that of methacrylic acid, and the main chain is
flexible. Therefore, it is though that, in a case in which the graft
high-molecular compound is used as a dispersant, the graft high-molecular
compound effectively covers a high-polarity pigment when the acrylic acid
acts on the pigment, and reaggregation of the pigment is suppressed due
to the graft chain functioning as a steric repulsion chain. It is thought
that a secondary aggregate, which is an aggregate of pigment primary
particles, is thus effectively crumbled, and reaggregation of primary
particles that leads to formation of a secondary aggregate is effectively
suppressed. It is considered that a dispersion in a state close to that
of a dispersion of primary particles can thus be obtained in the
dispersing process.

[0051]It is thought that inclusion of a colored pattern including a
photocurable composition containing the pigment-dispersed composition
thus enables provision of a color filter having high contrast, and a
color filter having small color density unevenness.

[0052]At the same time, redissolvability of a dry film thereof is
favorable. The reason thereof is presumed to be as follows. The
pigment-dispersed in the form of primary particles is in a state of being
covered with the graft high-molecular compound, and the graft
high-molecular compound serving as an outer wall has high affinity for
solvent, and as a result of which even a dry film easily dissolves in a
solvent.

[0053]The pigment-dispersed composition dispersed with the high-molecular
compound according to the second aspect is also effective in dealing with
a problem in that a part of the dispersant precipitates during storage of
the pigment-dispersed composition at low temperatures. This problem
associates, particularly, a graft high-molecular polymer compound having
polycaprolactone as a graft chain. Since polycaprolactone is a polymer
having high crystallinity, it has poor dispersion stability at low
temperatures. However, stable storage at low temperatures is made
possible presumably for the following reasons. The high-molecular
compound (A) according to the second aspect has acrylic acid
copolymerized in the main chain thereof, and thus the flexibility of the
main chain of the high-molecular compound is improved. Therefore,
carboxylic acid, which is hard to solvate, easily aggregates away from
the organic solvent used in the pigment-dispersed composition, while
polycaprolactone chains, which are easy to solvate, are solvated with the
organic acid rather than being regularly arranged, as a result of which
the polymer compound is easily soluble in the solvent.

Effects of the Invention

[0054]According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a
pigment-dispersed composition in which a fined pigment is dispersed in
the state of primary particles and primary particles of the dispersed
pigment are stably maintained, and with which a colored coating film
having excellent contrast can be formed.

[0055]According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a colored
photosensitive composition which contains the pigment-dispersed
composition, and which exhibits excellent coating properties, and with
which a colored cured film having excellent contrast can be formed.

[0056]Furthermore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to
provide a color filter that is formed using the colored photosensitive
composition, and that has a colored region which has high contrast and
excellent color properties, and in which color density unevenness is
small, and a liquid crystal display device and a solid-state image pickup
device, each of which has the color filter.

[0057]According to the second aspect, it is possible to provide a pigment
dispersion liquid that has excellent dispersion stability, and a
photocurable composition in which the pigment dispersion liquid is used,
and which has excellent self-solubility when aggregated or solidified at
a tip portion of a coating liquid discharge aperture of a slit coating
device (dry film redissolvability), and which has favorable solubility in
a developer liquid and excellent developability, and with which
generation of development residue is suppressed.

[0058]Furthermore, it is possible to provide a high-quality color filter
having a colored pattern formed using the photocurable composition, and a
liquid crystal display device which has the color filter, and which has
excellent color reproducibility and high contrast, and a solid-state
image pickup device which has the color filter, and which has high
resolution, and in which color unevenness is small.

BEST EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0059]Hereinafter, the pigment-dispersed composition, the colored
photosensitive composition, the photocurable composition, the color
filter, the liquid crystal display device, and the solid-state image
pickup device of the invention are described in detail below.

[0060]<Pigment-Dispersed Composition of First Embodiment>

[0061]The pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment of the
invention includes a (a) high-molecular compound containing at least one
kind of repeating unit selected from repeating units represented by the
following Formula (I) or (II), (b) a pigment, and (c) an organic solvent.

[0062]Hereinafter, the (a) high-molecular compound, the (b) pigment, and
the (c) organic solvent in the pigment-dispersed composition of the first
embodiment are described.

[0064]The pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment includes a
high-molecular compound containing at least one kind of repeating unit
selected from repeating units represented by Formula (I) or (II)
described below (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "specific
polymer.").

##STR00003##

[0065]In Formulae (I) and (II), R1 to R6 each independently
represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; X1 and
X2 each independently represent --CO--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--,
--OC(═O)-- or a phenylene group; L1 and L2 each
independently represent a single bond or a divalent organic linking
group; A1 and A2 each independently represent a monovalent
organic group; m and n each independently represent an integer of from 2
to 8; and p and q each independently represent an integer of from 1 to
100.

[0066]R1 to R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a
monovalent organic group. The monovalent organic group is preferably a
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. The alkyl group is preferably a
C1-C12 alkyl group, more preferably a C1-C8 alkyl group, and particularly
preferably a C1-C4 alkyl group.

[0067]When the alkyl group has a substituent, examples of the substituent
include a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group (having preferably from 1 to 5
carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms), a methoxy group,
an ethoxy group, and a cyclohexyloxy group.

[0068]Specific examples of preferable alkyl groups include a methyl group,
an ethyl group, a propyl group, an n-butyl group, an i-butyl group, a
t-butyl group, an n-hexyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 2-hydroxyethyl
group, a 3-hydroxypropyl group, a 2-hydroxypropyl group, and a
2-methoxyethyl group.

[0069]R1, R2, R4 and R5 are each preferably a hydrogen
atom, and R3 and R6 are each most preferably a hydrogen atom or
a methyl group from the viewpoint of efficiency of adsorption onto
pigment surface.

[0070]X1 and X2 each independently represent --CO--,
--C(═O)O--, --CONH--, --OC(═O)-- or a phenylene group. Among
them, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--, and a phenylene group are preferable from
the viewpoint of adsorptivity onto the pigment, and --C(═O)O-- is
most preferable.

[0071]L1 and L2 each independently represent a single bond or a
divalent organic linking group. The divalent organic linking group is
preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, or a divalent
organic linking group composed of the alkylene group and a heteroatom, or
a divalent organic linking group composed of the alkylene group and a
heteroatom-containing partial structure. Here, the alkylene group is
preferably a C1-C12 alkylene group, more preferably a C1-C8 alkylene
group, and particularly preferably a C1-C4 alkylene group. Examples of a
heteroatom in the heteroatom-containing partial structure include an
oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, and a sulfur atom. Among them, the
heteroatom is preferably an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom.

[0072]Specific examples of preferable alkylene groups include a methylene
group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a trimethylene group, and a
tetramethylene group.

[0073]When the alkylene group has a substituent, examples of the
substituent include a hydroxy group.

[0074]It is preferable, from the viewpoint of adsorptivity onto the
pigment, that the divalent organic linking group has a heteroatom or
heteroatom-containing partial structure selected from --C(═O)--,
--OC(═O)--, or --NHC(═O)-- at a terminal of the alkylene group,
and is linked to an adjacent oxygen atom via the heteroatom or
heteroatom-containing partial structure. Here, the adjacent oxygen atom
means the oxygen atom that binds to the side chain terminal side of
L1 (in the case of Formula (I)) or L2 (in the case of Formula
(II)).

[0075]A1 and A2 each independently represent a monovalent
organic group. The monovalent organic group is preferably a substituted
or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl
group.

[0076]Preferable examples of the alkyl group include C1-C20 linear,
branched, or cyclic alkyl groups. Specific examples thereof include a
methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl
group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a nonyl group, a
decyl group, an undecyl group, a dodecyl group, a tridecyl group, a
hexadecyl group, an octadecyl group, an eicosyl group, an isopropyl
group, an isobutyl group, a s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an isopentyl
group, a neopentyl group, a 1-methylbutyl group, an isohexyl group, a
2-ethylhexyl group, a 2-methylhexyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a
cyclopentyl group and a 2-norbornyl group.

[0077]The substituent of the substituted alkyl group is a monovalent
group, except for hydrogen, that is composed of a nonmetallic atomic
group. Preferable examples thereof include a halogen atom (--F, --Br,
--Cl, --I), a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a
mercapto group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an alkyldithio
group, an aryldithio group, an amino group, an N-alkylamino group, an
N,N-dialkylamino group, an N-arylamino group, an N,N-diarylamino group,
an N-alkyl-N-arylamino group, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an
N-alkylcarbamoyloxy group, an N-arylcarbamoyloxy group, an
N,N-dialkylcarbamoyloxy group, an N,N-diarylcarbamoyloxy group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylcarbamoyloxy group, an alkylsulfoxy group, an arylsulfoxy
group, an acyloxy group, an acylthio group, an acylamino group, an
N-alkylacylamino group, an N-arylacylamino group, a ureido group, an
N'-alkylureido group, an N',N'-dialkylureido group, an N'-arylureido
group, an N',N'-diarylureido group, an N'-alkyl-N'-arylureido group, an
N-alkylureido group, an N-arylureido group, an N'-alkyl-N-alkylureido
group, an N'-alkyl-N-arylureido group, an N',N'-dialkyl-N-alkylureido
group, an N',N'-dialkyl-N-arylureido group, an N'-aryl-N-alkylureido
group, an N'-aryl-N-arylureido group, an N',N'-diaryl-N-alkylureido
group, an N',N'-diaryl-N-arylureido group, an
N'-alkyl-N'-aryl-N-alkylureido group, an N'-alkyl-N'-aryl-N-arylureido
group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, an
N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarbonylamino group, an N-alkyl-N-aryloxycarbonylamino
group, an N-aryl-N-alkoxycarbonylamino group, an
N-aryl-N-aryloxycarbonylamino group, a formyl group, an acyl group, a
carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a
carbamoyl group, an N-alkylcarbamoyl group, an N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl
group, an N-arylcarbamoyl group, an N,N-diarylcarbamoyl group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylcarbamoyl group, an alkylsulfinyl group, an arylsulfinyl
group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a sulfo group
(--SO3H) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter referred to
as a sulfonato group), an alkoxysulfonyl group, an aryloxysulfonyl group,
a sulfinamoyl group, an N-alkylsulfinamoyl group, an
N,N-dialkylsulfinamoyl group, an N-arylsulfinamoyl group, an
N,N-diarylsulfinamoyl group, an N-alkyl-N-arylsulfinamoyl group, a
sulfamoyl group, an N-alkylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl
group, an N-arylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-diarylsulfamoyl group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamoyl group, a phosphono group (--PO3H2) and
a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter referred to as a phosphonato
group), a dialkylphosphono group (--PO3(alkyl)2), a
diarylphosphono group (--PO3(aryl)2), an alkylarylphosphono
group (--PO3(alkyl)(aryl)), a monoalkylphosphono group
(--PO3H(alkyl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an alkylphosphonato group), a monoarylphosphono group
(--PO3H(aryl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an arylphosphonato group), a phosphonooxy group
(--OPO3H2) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as phosphonatooxy group), a dialkylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(alkyl)2), a diarylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(aryl)2), an alkylarylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(alkyl)(aryl)), a monoalkylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3H(alkyl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an alkylphosphonatooxy group), a monoarylphosphonooxy
group (--OPO3H(aryl)) and a conjugate base group thereof
(hereinafter referred to as an arylphosphonatooxy group), a cyano group,
a nitro group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, an alkenyl group, an
alkynyl group, and a silyl group.

[0078]Specific examples of alkyl groups in these substituents include the
alkyl groups described above, which may further have a substituent.

[0079]The substituent is preferably an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an
alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an N,N-dialkylamino group, an
N,N-diarylamino group, an N-alkyl-N-arylamino group, an acyloxy group, an
aryl group, a heteroaryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group or a
silyl group, from the viewpoint of dispersion stability.

[0080]Specific examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a
biphenyl group, a naphthyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a mesityl
group, a cumenyl group, a chlorophenyl group, a bromophenyl group, a
chloromethylphenyl group, a hydroxyphenyl group, a methoxyphenyl group,
an ethoxyphenyl group, a phenoxyphenyl group, an acetoxyphenyl group, a
benzoyloxyphenyl group, a methylthiophenyl group, a phenylthiophenyl
group, a methylaminophenyl group, a dimethylaminophenyl group, an
acetylaminophenyl group, a carboxyphenyl group, a methoxycarbonylphenyl
group, an ethoxyphenylcarbonyl group, a phenoxycarbonylphenyl group, an
N-phenylcarbamoylphenyl group, a phenyl group, a cyanophenyl group, a
sulfophenyl group, a sulfonatophenyl group, a phophonophenyl group, and a
phophonatophenyl group.

[0081]A1 and A2 are each preferably a C1-C20 linear, C3-C20
branched, or C5-C20 cyclic alkyl group, more preferably a C4-C15 linear,
C4-C15 branched, or C6-C10 cyclic alkyl group, and further preferably a
C6-C10 linear or C6-C12 branched alkyl group, from the viewpoints of
dispersion stability and developability.

[0082]m and n each independently represent an integer of from 2 to 8. m
and n are each preferably from 4 to 6, and most preferably 5, from the
viewpoints of dispersion stability and developability.

[0083]p and q each independently represent an integer of from 1 to 100.
Two or more kinds of structural units that differ from each other with
respect top and/or q may be mixed. Each of p and q is preferably from 5
to 60, more preferably from 5 to 40, and still more preferably from 5 to
20, from the viewpoints of dispersion stability and developability.

[0084]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment preferably
includes a repeating unit represented by the formula (I) from the
viewpoint of dispersion stability.

[0085]The repeating unit represented by Formula (I) is more preferably a
repeating unit represented by Formula (I)-2 described below.

##STR00004##

[0086]In Formula (I)-2, R1 to R3 each independently represent a
hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group; La represents a C2-C10
alkylene group; Lb represents --C(═O)-- or --NHC(═O)--; A1
represents a monovalent organic group; m represents an integer of from 2
to 8; and p represents an integer of from 1 to 100.

[0087]The repeating unit represented by Formula (I), (II), or (I)-2 is
introduced, as a repeating unit of the high-molecular compound, by
polymerization or copolymerization of a monomer represented by the
following Formula (i), (ii), or (i)-2.

##STR00005##

[0088]In Formulae (i), (ii), and (i)-2, R1 to R6 each
independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group;
X1 and X2 each independently represent --CO--, --C(═O)O--,
--CONH--, --OC(═O)-- or a phenylene group; L1 and L2 each
independently represent a single bond or a divalent organic linking
group; La represents a C2-C 10 alkylene group; Lb represents
--C(═O)-- or --NHC(═O)--; A1 and A2 each independently
represent a monovalent organic group; m and n each independently
represent an integer of from 2 to 8; and p and q each independently
represent an integer of from 1 to 100.

[0089]Specific preferable examples of monomers represented by Formula (i),
(ii), or (i)-2 are shown below (monomers (A-1) to (A-23)). However, the
first embodiment is not limited thereto.

##STR00006## ##STR00007## ##STR00008##

[0090]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment contains at
least one kind of repeating unit selected from the repeating units each
represented by Formula (I) or (II), and the specific polymer may contain
only one kind of repeating unit represented by Formula (I) or (II), or
may contain two or more kinds of repeating unit represented by Formula
(I) or (II).

[0091]The content of repeating units each represented by Formula (I) or
(II) in the specific polymer is not particularly limited. However, the
content of repeating units each represented by Formula (I) or (II) is
preferably 5% by mass or higher, more preferably 50% by mass, and further
preferably from 50% by mass to 80% by mass, assuming that the total
amount of repeating units contained in the polymer is 100% by mass.

[0092]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment is preferably
a high-molecular compound formed by copolymerization of at least one
monomer having a functional group capable of being adsorbed on the
pigment and at least one monomer represented by Formula (i), (ii), or
(i)-2 described above, for the purpose of enhancing adsorption onto the
pigment.

[0093]Specific examples of the monomer having a functional group capable
of being adsorbed onto the pigment include a monomer having an organic
dye structure or a heterocyclic structure, a monomer having an acidic
group, a monomer having a basic nitrogen atom, and a monomer having an
ionic group. Among them, a monomer having an organic dye structure or a
heterocyclic structure is preferable in terms of adsorption force onto
the pigment.

[0094]The monomer having an organic dye structure or a heterocyclic
structure is preferably one kind selected from the group consisting of a
monomer represented by Formula (1) shown below, maleimide, and a
maleimide derivative. Among them, the monomer having an organic dye
structure or a heterocyclic structure is particularly preferably a
monomer represented by Formula (1) shown below.

##STR00009##

[0095]In Formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl
group. R2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Y
represents --CO--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--, --OC(═O)-- or a
phenylene group. Z represents a group that has a nitrogen-containing
heterocyclic group.

[0096]The alkyl group represented by R1 in Formula (1) is preferably
a C1-C12 alkyl group, more preferably a C1-C8 alkyl group, and
particularly preferably a C1-C4 alkyl group.

[0097]When the alkyl group represented by R1 has a substituent, the
substituent is preferably, for example, a hydroxy group, or an alkoxy
group such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, or a cyclohexyloxy group.
The alkoxy group is preferably a C1-05 alkoxy group, and more preferably
a C1-C3 alkoxy group.

[0098]Preferable examples of the alkyl group represented by R1 in
Formula (1) include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an
n-butyl group, an i-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-hexyl group, a
cyclohexyl group, a 2-hydroxyethyl group, a 3-hydroxypropyl group, a
2-hydroxypropyl group and a 2-methoxyethyl group.

[0099]Among them, R1 is most preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl
group.

[0100]The divalent linking group represented by R2 in Formula (1) is
preferably an alkylene group, or a divalent group containing an alkylene
group. The alkylene group may be a substituted alkylene group or an
unsubstituted alkylene group. The alkylene group is preferably a C1-C12
alkylene group, more preferably a C1-C8 alkylene group, and still more
preferably a C1-C4 alkylene group.

[0101]When the alkylene group has a substituent, examples of the
substituent include a hydroxy group.

[0102]Specific preferable examples of the alkylene group represented by
R2 include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group,
a trimethylene group, and a tetramethylene group.

[0103]The divalent group containing an alkylene group and represented by
R2 in Formula (1) may be a divalent group composed of two or more of
the alkylene group that are linked to each other via at least one
heteroatom (for example, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur
atom).

[0104]Further, the divalent group containing an alkylene group represented
by R2 may be a divalent group composed of the alkylene group and a
heteroatom or heteroatom-containing partial structure that is selected
from --O--, --S--, --C(═O)O--, --CONH--, --C(═O)S--, --NHCONH--,
--NHC(═O)O--, --NHC(═O)S--, --OC(═O)--, --OCONH-- and
--NHCO-- and that binds to a terminal of the alkylene group at a side
bonded to Z.

[0106]These nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structures may have a
substituent, and examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, an
alkoxy group, a halogen atom, an aliphatic ester group, an aromatic ester
group, and an alkoxycarbonyl group.

[0107]Among them, the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group represented
by Z is more preferably a group having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
structure having 6 or more carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a
group having the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure having from 6
to 12 carbon atoms.

[0108]The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure having 6 or more
carbon atoms is specifically preferably a phenothiazine ring, a
phenoxazine ring, an acridone ring, an anthraquinone ring, a
benzimidazole structure, a benzotriazole structure, a benzothiazole
structure, a cyclic amide structure, a cyclic urea structure, and a
cyclic imide structure, and particularly preferably the structure
represented by Formula (2), (3), or (4) described below.

##STR00010##

[0109]In Formula (2), X is selected from the group consisting of a single
bond, an alkylene group (such as a methylene group, an ethylene group, a
propylene group, a trimethylene group, or a tetramethylene group), --O--,
--S--, --NRA--, and --C(═O)--. Here, RA represents a
hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. When RA represents an alkyl group,
the alkyl group is preferably a C1-C18 alkyl group, and more preferably a
C1-C6 alkyl group; examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl
group, an n-propyl group, an i-propyl group, an n-butyl group, a t-butyl
group, an n-hexyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, and an
n-octadecyl group.

[0110]Among those described above, X in Formula (2) is preferably a single
bond, a methylene group, --O--, or --C(═O)--, and particularly
preferably --C(═O--.

[0111]In Formula (4), Y and Z each independently represent --N═,
--NH--, --N(RB)--, --S--, or --O--. RB represents an alkyl
group. The alkyl group is preferably a C1-C18 alkyl group, and more
preferably a C1-C6 alkyl group, and examples of the alkyl group include a
methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an i-propyl group, an
n-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-octyl group, a
2-ethylhexyl group, and an n-octadecyl group.

[0112]Among those described above, Y and Z in Formula (4) are each
particularly preferably --N═, --NH-- or --N(RB)--. A combination
of Y and Z is preferably a combination (an imidazolyl group) in which one
of Y and Z is --N═ and the other is --NH--.

[0113]In Formula (2), (3), or (4), ring A, ring B, ring C and ring D each
independently represent an aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic ring
include a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an indene ring, an azulene
ring, a fluorene ring, an anthracene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine
ring, a pyrimidine ring, a pyrrole ring, an imidazole ring, an indole
ring, an quinoline ring, an acridine ring, a phenothiazine ring, a
phenoxazine ring, an acridone ring, and an anthraquinone ring. Among
them, the aromatic ring is preferably a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring,
an anthracene ring, a pyridine ring, a phenoxazine ring, an acridine
ring, a phenothiazine ring, a phenoxazine ring, an acridone ring or an
anthraquinone ring, and particularly preferably a benzene ring, a
naphthalene ring or a pyridine ring.

[0114]Specifically, examples of ring A and ring B in Formula (2) include a
benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, a pyridine ring, and a pyrazine ring.

[0115]Examples of ring C in Formula (3) include a benzene ring, a
naphthalene ring, a pyridine ring, and a pyrazine ring.

[0116]Examples of ring D in Formula (4) include a benzene ring, a
naphthalene ring, a pyridine ring, and a pyrazine ring.

[0117]In the structure represented by Formula (2), (3) or (4), the
aromatic ring is more preferably a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring
from the viewpoint of dispersibility and the stability of the dispersion
liquid over time; the aromatic ring in Formula (2) or (4) is more
preferably a benzene ring; and the aromatic ring in Formula (3) is more
preferably a naphthalene ring.

[0118]The maleimide derivative as used in the first embodiment means a
maleimide in which the N position is substituted by a substituent such as
an alkyl group or an aryl group.

[0119]Specific preferable examples of the monomer represented by Formula
(1), the maleimide and the maleimide derivative are shown below (the
monomers M-1 to M-33). However, the first embodiment is not limited
thereto.

##STR00011## ##STR00012## ##STR00013## ##STR00014## ##STR00015##

[0120]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment may contain
one kind of repeating unit derived from a monomer selected from the group
consisting of a monomer represented by Formula (1), maleimide, or may
contain two or more kinds thereof

[0121]The content of repeating units each derived from a monomer selected
from the group consisting of a monomer represented by Formula (1),
maleimide, and a maleimide derivative in the specific polymer according
to the first embodiment is preferably 5% by mass or higher, and more
preferably from 10% by mass to 50% by mass, assuming that the total
amount of repeating units contained in the polymer is 100% by mass.

[0122]Specifically, the content of polymerization units each derived from
a monomer selected from the group consisting of a monomer represented by
Formula (1), maleimide, and a maleimide derivative is preferably 5% by
mass or higher, from the viewpoint of effectively suppressing generation
of secondary aggregates, which are aggregates of pigment primary
particles, or effectively reducing the aggregation force in the secondary
aggregates. The content of polymerization units each derived from a
monomer selected from the group consisting of a monomer represented by
Formula (1), maleimide, and a maleimide derivative is preferably 50% by
mass or lower from the viewpoint of developability in production of a
color filter using the colored photosensitive composition containing the
pigment-dispersed composition.

[0123]Examples of the monomer having an acidic group include a vinyl
monomer having a carboxyl group and a vinyl monomer having a sulfonic
acid group.

[0124]Examples of the vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group include
(meth)acrylic acid, vinylbenzoic acid, maleic acid, a monoalkyl maleate,
fumaric acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid, and acrylic
acid dimer. Examples of the vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group further
include: an addition reaction product of a monomer having a hydroxyl
group such as 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, with a cyclic anhydride such
as maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, or cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid
anhydride; and ω-carboxy-polycaprolactone mono(meth)acrylate. It is
also permissible to use, as a precursor of a carboxyl group, an
anhydride-containing monomer such as maleic anhydride, itaconic
anhydride, or citraconic anhydride. Among those described above,
(meth)acrylic acid is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of
copolymerizability, cost, and solubility.

[0125]Examples of vinyl monomers having a sulfonic acid group include
2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and examples of vinyl monomers
having a phosphoric acid group include mono(2-acryloyloxyethyl)phosphate
and mono(1-methyl-2-acryloyloxyethyl)phosphate.

[0126]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment preferably
contains a repeating unit derived from a monomer having an acidic group
such as those described above. Inclusion of such a repeating unit
provides excellent removability of unexposed portions by development, in
a case in which the pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment
is applied to a colored photosensitive composition.

[0127]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment may contain
one kind of repeating unit derived from a monomer having an acidic group,
or may contain two or more kinds thereof

[0128]The content of repeating units derived from monomers having an
acidic group in the specific polymer is preferably 50 mgKOH/g or higher,
and particularly preferably from 50 mgKOH/g to 200 mgKOH/g. Specifically,
the content of repeating units derived from monomers having an acidic
group is preferably 50 mgKOH/g or higher from the viewpoint of
suppressing generation of a precipitate in the developer liquid. The
content of repeating units derived from monomers having an acidic group
is preferably from 50 mgKOH/g to 200 mgKOH/g from the viewpoint of
effectively suppressing generation of secondary aggregates, which are
aggregates of pigment primary particles, or effectively reducing the
aggregation force in the secondary aggregates.

[0130]Examples of monomers that can be used further include a monomer
having a urea group, a urethane group, a hydrocarbon group having 4 or
more carbon atoms and having a coordinating oxygen atom, an alkoxysilyl
group, an epoxy group, an isocyanate group or a hydroxyl group. Specific
examples of the monomer include monomers having the following structures.

##STR00016##

[0131]Examples of the monomer having an ionic group include a vinyl
monomer having an ionic group (anionic vinyl monomer or cationic vinyl
monomer). Examples of the anionic vinyl monomer include an alkali metal
salt of the vinyl monomer having an acidic group, and a salt of the vinyl
monomer having an acidic group with an organic amine (for example, a
tertiary amine such as triethylamine or dimethylamino ethanol). Examples
of the cationic vinyl monomer include: a monomer obtained by
quaternarizing the nitrogen-containing vinyl monomer with an alkyl halide
(alkyl group: C1-C18, halogen atom: a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an
iodine atom), a benzyl halide such as benzyl chloride or benzyl bromide,
an alkylsulfonic acid ester (alkyl group: C1-C18) such as
methanesulfonate, an alkyl ester (alkyl group: C1-C18) of an arylsulfonic
acid such as benzene sulfonic acid or toluene sulfonic acid, a dialkyl
sulfate (alkyl group: C1-C4), or the like; and a dialkyl diaryl ammonium
salt.

[0132]The monomer having a functional group capable of being adsorbed onto
the pigment may be suitably selected in accordance with the kind of the
pigment to be dispersed, and the monomer may be used singly, or in
combination of two or more thereof

[0133]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment may further
contain a repeating unit derived from a copolymerizable vinyl monomer,
within a range in which the effect of the specific polymer is not
impaired.

[0134]Here, the vinyl monomer that may be used is not particularly
limited, and preferable examples thereof include (meth)acrylic esters,
crotonic esters, vinyl esters, maleic diesters, fumaric diesters,
itaconic diesters, (meth)acrylamides, vinyl ethers, vinyl alcohol esters,
styrenes, and (meth)acrylonitrile. Specific examples of the vinyl monomer
include the compounds described below. In the specification, the term
"(meth)acrylic" is used to mean either of acrylic or methacrylic or both.

[0144]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment is preferably
a copolymer of at least a monomer represented by Formula (i), (ii), or
(i)-2 and a monomer having an organic dye structure or a heterocyclic
structure, and more preferably a copolymer of at least a monomer
represented by Formula (i)-2 described above, a monomer represented by
Formula (1) described above, and a monomer having an acidic group.

[0146]The molecular weight of the specific polymer according to the first
embodiment is preferably such that the weight average molecular weight
(Mw) is in the range of from 5000 to 100000, and such that the number
average molecular weight (Mn) is preferably in the range of from 2500 to
50,000. The molecular weight is more preferably such that the weight
average molecular weight (Mw) is in the range of from 10000 to 50000, and
such that the number average molecular weight (Mn) is in the range of
from 5000 to 30,000.

[0147]The molecular weight is most preferably such that the weight average
molecular weight (Mw) is in the range of from 10000 to 30000, and such
that the number average molecular weight (Mn) is most preferably in the
range of from 5000 to 15,000.

[0148]Specifically, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the
specific polymer is preferably 1000 or more from the viewpoint of
effectively crumbling secondary aggregates, which are aggregates of
pigment primary particles, or effectively inhibiting reaggregation. The
weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the specific polymer is
preferably 30000 or less in consideration of developability during
production of a color filter from the colored photosensitive composition
containing the pigment-dispersed composition.

[0149]The specific polymer according to the first embodiment may be
produced by an ordinary radical polymerization method using, for example,
a monomer represented by Formula (i), (ii), or (i)-2 and another
radical-polymerizable compound as a copolymerization component (various
monomers such as those described above).

[0150]A suspension polymerization method, a solution polymerization
method, or the like is generally employed. Examples of the solvent used
in synthesis of the specific polymer include ethylene dichloride,
cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methanol, ethanol, propanol,
butanol, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether, ethyleneglycol monoethyl ether,
2-methoxyethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate,
N,N-dimethyl formamide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide,
toluene, ethyl acetate, methyl lactate, and ethyl lactate. The solvent
may be used singly, or in mixture of two or more thereof.

[0151]In the radical polymerization, a radical polymerization initiator
may be used, and furthermore, a chain transfer agent (examples of which
include 2-mercaptoethanol and dodecylmercaptan) may be used.

[0152]In the pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment, the
content of the specific polymer in terms of mass ratio is preferably such
that pigment:specific polymer=from 1:0.1 to 1:2, more preferably from
1:0.2 to 1:1, and further preferably from 1:0.4 to 1:0.7.

[0153]The specific polymer described above may be used together with one
or more other high-molecular compounds, if necessary, within a range in
which the effect of the first embodiment is not impaired.

[0154]Examples of such other high-molecular compounds for use include a
natural resin, a modified natural resin, a synthetic resin, a synthetic
resin modified with a natural resin, and the like.

[0155]A typical example of the natural resin is rosin, and examples of the
modified natural resin include a rosin derivative, a cellulose
derivative, a rubber derivative, a protein derivative, and oligomers
thereof. Examples of the synthetic resin include an epoxy resin, an
acrylic resin, a maleic acid resin, a butyral resin, a polyester resin, a
melamine resin, a phenol resin, and a polyurethane resin. Examples of the
synthetic resin modified with a natural resin include a rosin-modified
maleic acid resin and a rosin-modified phenol resin.

[0157]In the following, the second embodiment is specifically described.

[0158]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment is a
pigment-dispersed composition including (A) a graft high-molecular
polymer compound in which acrylic acid is copolymerized at a proportion
of from 5% by mass to 30% by mass in the main chain thereof (hereinafter
referred to as the specific graft polymer), (B) a pigment, and (C) an
organic solvent. The (A) graft high-molecular polymer compound in which
acrylic acid is copolymerized in the main chain thereof may further
contain a heterocycle at a side chain, if necessary.

[0159](A) The Graft High-Molecular Polymer Compound in which Acrylic Acid
is Copolymerized in the Main Chain Thereof

[0160]The specific graft polymer used in the second embodiment is not
particularly limited as long as it is a graft high-molecular polymer
compound that has acrylic acid in the main chain thereof, the content of
acrylic acid is 5 to 30% by mass, and the weight average molecular weight
thereof is in the range of from 1,000 to 100,000.

[0161]The specific graft polymer has a main chain that contains an acrylic
acid group in the second embodiment. The specific graft polymer may
further contain an acrylic acid group at a branch portion thereof

[0162]Examples of synthesis methods of the specific graft polymer that can
be employed include general methods such as (1) a method of polymerizing
a branch monomer from a main chain polymer, (2) a method of bonding a
branch polymer to a main chain polymer, and (3) a method of
copolymerizing a main chain monomer with a branch polymer, as described
in Shin Koubunshi Jikkengaku Vol. 2 (KYORITSU SHUPPAN CO., LTD., 1995).

[0163]Specifically, a specific graft polymer obtained by copolymerization
of acrylic acid, at least one polymerizable oligomer (hereinafter
referred to as "macromonomer"), and at least one other copolymerizable
monomer may be used in the second embodiment.

[0164]The amount of acrylic acid introduced is preferably from 5 to 30% by
mass from the viewpoint of dispersibility. In a case in which the amount
is more than 30% by mass, the relative amount of the macromonomer to be
copolymerized decreases, as a result of which the effect produced by
steric repulsion chains decreases, and sufficient dispersion stability is
not obtained. In a case in which the amount is less than 5% by mass, the
high-molecular compound as a whole does not have sufficient flexibility,
and effects in improvement of dispersion stability and developability are
less likely to be obtained. The amount of acrylic acid introduced is
preferably from 10 to 30% by mass, and most preferably from 10 to 25% by
mass, although it depends on the kind, molecular weight and the like of
the macromonomer.

[0165]A preferable structure of the macromonomer has at least one of a
repeating unit represented by Formula (I), a repeating unit represented
by Formula (II), or a repeating unit represented by the following Formula
(3). Among them, a structure having a repeating unit represented by
Formula (I) is most preferable.

##STR00017##

[0166]The definitions and preferable ranges of Formulae (I) and (II),
including the definition and preferable ranges of each symbol in the
Formulae, are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0167]A repeating unit represented by Formula (I) is more preferable from
the viewpoint of dispersion stability, and a repeating unit represented
by Formula (I)-2 is further preferable. The definition and preferable
ranges of Formula (I)-2, including the definition and preferable ranges
of each symbol in the Formula, are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0168]A repeating unit represented by Formula (1), (2), or (1-2) is
introduced as a repeating unit of the high-molecular compound by
polymerization or copolymerization of a monomer represented by Formula
(i), (ii), or (i)-2, respectively. The definition and preferable ranges
of Formulae (i), (ii), and (i)-2, including the definition and preferable
ranges of each symbol in the Formulae, are the same as in the first
embodiment.

[0169]The synthesis method thereof may involve, for example, initiation of
a ring-opening polymerization by addition of a monocarboxylic acid or
monoalcohol to ε-caprolactone.

[0170]Preferable specific examples of monomers represented by Formulae
(i), (ii), and (i-2) are respectively the same as in the first
embodiment. However, the second embodiment is not limited to the
preferable specific embodiments.

[0171]In Formula (3), R7 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C8 alkyl
group; W represents a single bond, a single linking group selected from
atomic groups respectively represented by an alkylene, an alkenylene, a
cycloalkylene, phenylene, ether, thioether, ester, carbonyl, amino,
amido, sulfonylamido, and urethane, or a linking group that is an
arbitrary combination of two or more of the above linking groups; A3
represents repeating units formed from a radical-polymerizable monomer
such as a (meth)acrylic ester, (meth)acrylonitrile, a styrene derivative,
or a (meth)acrylamide.

[0172]Specific examples of the macromonomer represented by Formula (3)
include those shown below.

##STR00018##

[0173]In the above formulae, A has the same definition as that of A3
in Formula (3). Preferable compounds for forming A include polymethyl
methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polystyrene, a methyl
methacrylate-butyl methacrylate copolymer, and a methyl
methacrylate-styrene copolymer.

[0174]The weight average molecular weight of the specific graft polymer
according to the second embodiment is not particularly limited as long as
it is from 1,000 to 100,000, and is preferably in the range of from 3,000
to 100,000, more preferably in the range of from 5,000 to 50,000, and
further preferably in the range of from 10,000 to 30,000. When the weight
average molecular weight is 1,000 or more, the stabilization effect is
more effectively exerted. When the weight average molecular weight is
100,000 or less, more effective adsorption is achieved, as a result of
which more favorable dispersibility is achieved.

[0175]In particular, the weight average molecular weight of the branch
portion is preferably from 300 to 10,000, more preferably from 500 to
5,000, and further more preferably from 1,000 to 3,000. A molecular
weight of the branch portion within the range provides particularly
favorable developability, and a broad development latitude.

[0176]The specific graft polymer according to the second embodiment may
contain only one kind of repeating unit having a macromonomer, or in two
or more kinds thereof. The content of repeating units having a
macromonomer in the specific graft compound is not particularly limited,
and is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably from 40 to 90% by
mass, and further preferably from 50 to 80% by mass, assuming that the
total amount of structure units contained in the specific graft compound
is 100% by mass.

[0177]As other monomers copolymerizable with the specific graft polymer
according to the second embodiment, one or more of the following monomers
may be freely selected: (1) a monomer having an organic dye structure or
a heterocyclic structure; (2) a monomer having an acidic group; (3) a
monomer having a basic nitrogen atom; (4) a monomer having a urea group,
a urethane group, a hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbon atoms and
having a coordinating oxygen atom, an alkoxysilyl group, an epoxy group,
an isocyanate group, or a hydroxyl group; (5) a monomer having an ionic
functional group; (6) a (meth)acrylic ester, a crotonic ester, a vinyl
ester, a maleic diester, a fumaric diester, an itaconic diester, a
(meth)acrylamide, a styrenic compound, a vinyl ether, a vinyl ketone, an
olefin, a maleimide, and (meth)acrylonitrile; and the like. Among them, a
(1) monomer having an organic dye structure or a heterocyclic structure
is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of adsorption force with
respect to the pigment.

[0178]The monomer having an organic dye structure or a heterocyclic
structure is preferably a monomer represented by Formula (1), maleimide,
or a maleimide derivative, and particularly preferably a monomer
represented by Formula (1). The definition and preferable ranges of
Formula (1), including the definition and preferable ranges of each
symbol in the Formula, are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0179]Preferable specific examples of the monomer represented by Formula
(1), the maleimide, and the maleimide derivative in the specific graft
polymer according to the second embodiment are respectively the same as
in the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment is not limited
thereto.

[0180]The specific graft polymer according to the second embodiment may
contain only one kind of copolymerization unit derived from a monomer
represented by Formula (1), maleimide, or a maleimide derivative, or may
contain two or more kinds thereof.

[0181]The content of copolymerization units each derived from a monomer
represented by Formula (1), maleimide, or a maleimide derivative in the
specific graft polymer according to the second embodiment is not
particularly limited. However, the content of copolymerization units
derived from a monomer represented by Formula (1), maleimide, or a
maleimide derivative is preferably 5% by mass or more, and more
preferably from 10 to 50% by mass, assuming that the total amount of
structure units contained in the polymer is 100% by mass.

[0182]In the second embodiment, a monomer represented by Formula (1) is
preferable among a monomer represented by Formula (1), maleimide, and a
maleimide derivative, since a monomer represented by Formula (1) exhibits
high adsorptivity with respect to the pigment.

[0183]Specifically, the content of copolymerization units each derived
from a monomer represented by Formula (1), maleimide, or a maleimide
derivative is preferably 5% by mass or more from the viewpoint of
effectively suppressing generation of secondary aggregates, which are
aggregates of pigment primary particles, or effectively reducing the
aggregation force in the secondary aggregate. The content of
copolymerization units derived from a monomer represented by Formula (1)
is preferably 30% by mass or less from the viewpoint of developability at
the time of producing a color filter using the photocurable composition
containing the pigment-dispersed composition.

[0184]The specific graft polymer may be produced according to an ordinary
radical polymerization method using, for example, at least one monomer
represented by Formula (i), at least one polymerizable oligomer
(macromonomer), and at least one other radical-polymerizable compound as
a copolymerizable component. In general, a suspension polymerization
method, a solution polymerization method, or the like may be employed.
Examples of the solvent used in the synthesis of the specific polymer
include the above-described solvents that can be used in the synthesis of
the specific polymer in the first embodiment. The solvent may be used
singly, or in mixture of two or more thereof

[0185]In the radical polymerization, a radical polymerization initiator
may be used, and, furthermore, a chain transfer agent (examples of which
include 2-mercaptoethanol and dodecylmercaptan) may be used.

[0186]The content of the specific graft polymer in the pigment-dispersed
composition of the second embodiment is preferably such that the mass
ratio of pigment:specific graft polymer is from 1:0.1 to 1:2, more
preferably from 1:0.2 to 1:1, and further preferably from 1:0.4 to 1:0.7.
When the ratio of pigment:specific graft polymer is from 1:0.4 to 1:0.55,
the effect of acrylic acid in the second embodiment is remarkable.

[0187]The content of (A) the specific graft polymer according to the
second embodiment is preferably from 10 to 40% by mass relative to the
total solids content.

[0188]The concentration of pigment is required to be high in order to
improve high color reproducibility of a liquid crystal display device and
in order to improve color separation of a solid-state image pickup
device. The effect of the second embodiment is conspicuous particularly
in the case of a pigment-dispersed composition having high pigment
concentration. More specifically, the value obtained by dividing the
total mass of high-molecular compounds contained in the pigment-dispersed
composition by the total mass of the (B) pigment and the (E) pigment
derivative described below is preferably in the range of from 0.2 to
0.55, and more preferably in the range of from 0.3 to 0.4. It is possible
to provide a pigment-dispersed composition which has favorable pigment
dispersibility and favorable dispersion stability, and with which a
photocurable composition exhibiting favorable redissolvability of a dry
film in a solvent and generating less development residues can be formed,
even in a case in which the amount of the high-molecular compound is
small.

[0189]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment
preferably further includes (D) a basic graft high-molecular compound.
Here, the (D) basic graft high-molecular compound is a high-molecular
compound having a structure other than the structures encompassed by the
(A) polymer.

[0190]The (D) basic graft high-molecular compound is a polymer having a
structure in which at least one branch polymer is graft-bonded to a
backbone polymer portion having plural basic groups. Since the polymer is
adsorbed on the surface of an organic pigment and an acidic derivative
thereof at many sites with basic groups of the backbone polymer portion
serving as an anchor, the steric repulsion effect caused by the branch
polymer portion is exerted effectively, thereby performing a function of
promoting finer dispersion. The basic groups of the backbone polymer
portion is each preferably an amino group due to its excellent adsorption
properties. The branch polymer portion is preferably soluble in an
organic solvent from the viewpoint of providing an excellent steric
repulsion chain. The polymer preferably has a molecular structure in
which two or more branch polymer molecules are graft-bonded to one
backbone polymer molecule. Polymers of this kind can be expressed by, for
example, the following Formula.

[0192]Polyethylene imine is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of
ethylene imine in the presence of an acid catalyst. Polyethylene
polyamine is obtained by polycondensation of ethylene dichloride and
ammonia in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. Poly(aminomethylated)
epoxy resin is obtained by chloromethylation and subsequent amination of
an aromatic ring such as bisphenol A epoxy resin, bisphenol F epoxy
resin, phenol novolac epoxy resin, cresol novolac epoxy resin, or
naphthol novolac epoxy resin, and is called "Mannich base". Specific
examples of an amine used for the amination include monomethylamine,
monoethylamine, monomethanolamine, monoethanolamine, dimethylamine,
diethylamine, dimethanolamine, and diethanolamine. The copolymer of
amine-added glycidyl(meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylic-esterified
glycidyl(meth)acrylate is obtained by forming a polymer through radical
polymerization of glycidyl(meth)acrylate, and then adding an amine such
as those described above to some of the epoxy groups in the resultant
polymer so as to obtain poly[amine-added glycidyl(meth)acrylate], and
then allowing remaining epoxy groups to react with carboxylic acid of
(meth)acrylic acid so as to be esterified.

[0193]The branch polymer represented by FF . . . FF in Formula (8) is
preferably soluble in an organic solvent. Specific examples thereof
include: poly(12-hydroxystearic acid), which is a polymer having
carboxylic acid at a polymer terminal and capable of forming a graft
bonding by undergoing an amidation reaction with an amino group of the
backbone polymer portion such as those described above; polyricinoleic
acid; and a ring-opening polymer such as ε-caprolactone. When the
backbone polymer has a vinyl group such as in the case of the copolymer
of amine-added glycidyl(meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylic-esterified
glycidyl(meth)acrylate, the branch polymer portion may be a polymer
capable of graft-polymerized with the vinyl group such as
poly[methyl(meth)acrylate] or poly[ethyl(meth)acrylate]. Synthesis
methods thereof are, for example, as follows.

[0194]Poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) is obtained by polyesterification
through dehydrating polycondensation of 12-hydroxystearic acid.
Polyricinoleic acid is similarly obtained by polyesterification through
dehydrating polycondensation of ricinoleic acid. The ring-opening polymer
of ε-caprolactone is obtained by addition of n-caproic acid,
which is an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, to ε-caprolactone,
thereby causing ring-opening polymerization.

[0195]In a case in which the (D) basic graft high-molecular compound is
added, the mixing ratio of the (A) specific graft polymer to the (D)
basic graft high-molecular compound for use is preferably from 2/1 to
1/2, and particularly preferably from 1.5/1 to 1/1.5.

[0196][(b) Pigment]

[0197]The (b) pigment in the first embodiment may be suitably selected
from various conventional known inorganic pigments or organic pigments.

[0198]The pigment is preferably an organic pigment, considering, for
example, that a higher trasmittance is preferred when the
pigment-dispersed composition of the invention is used in a colored
region of a color filter. The particle size thereof is preferably as
small is possible.

[0199]In consideration of handling properties of the pigment-dispersed
composition and the colored photosensitive composition containing the
pigment-dispersed composition, the average primary particle diameter of
the pigment is preferably 100 nm or less, more preferably 30 nm or less,
and most preferably from 5 nm to 25 nm. A particle diameter within the
above range provides high transmittance and favorable color properties,
and is effective in the formation of high-contrast color filters.

[0200]The average primary particle diameter is obtained by measuring the
particle sizes of 100 particles at a region at which particles do not
aggregate, under observation with an SEM or TEM, and calculating the
average value thereof

[0201]<(B) Pigment>

[0202]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment contains
a pigment. A smaller diameter of the pigment leads to more favorable
contrast as a color filter. Particularly, in a case in which a pigment
having a particle diameter of from 10 to 25 nm is dispersed using the
specific graft polymer according to the second embodiment, favorable
dispersion is achieved, and the contrast improves. There has been a
problem associated with a pigment having such a size in that, due to the
small size, the pigment aggregates and thus increases viscosity when a
pigment dispersion liquid is stored for a long time at high temperature
and high humidity. However, this problem can be solved by using the graft
dispersant of the invention having acrylic acid introduced thereto.

[0203]A particle diameter of the pigment within the above range provides
high transmittance and favorable color properties, and is effective in
formation of high-contrast color filters.

[0204]The average primary particle diameter is obtained by measuring the
particle sizes of 100 particles at a region at which particles do not
aggregate, under observation with an SEM or TEM, and calculating the
average value thereof

[0205]The pigment concentrations of photocurable compositions were
ordinarily 30% by weight or lower. However, recently, higher pigment
concentrations have been desired. An increased pigment concentration has
caused a problem in that image formation capability possessed by original
photocurable comositions is lost due to a relative decrease of components
that contribute to image formation properties such as an added resin that
imparts solubility in an alkali developer liquid.

[0206]In a case in which the specific graft polymer according to the
second embodiment is used as a dispersant, sufficient desolution in a
developer liquid is achived even without addition of other resins for
allowing dissolution in an alkali developer; therefore, pigment can be
used even at a high pigment concentration range. The specific graft
polymer according to the second embodiment also has dispersion
stabilization properties, thereby allowing a fine pigment to be used at
high pigment concentrations.

[0207]The pigment concentration may be in the range of from 10 to 55% by
mass. The effects are remarkable particularly at high pigment
concentration regions of from 35 to 55% by mass, or from 40 to 55% by
mass.

[0208]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment contains
at least one kind of the (B) pigment in an organic solvent.

[0209]Examples of pigments that can be used in the pigment-dispersed
composition of the second embodiment include conventional known various
inorganic pigments or organic pigments. The pigment to be used is
preferably a pigment having a fine particle size of which the particle
size is as amall as possible, regardless of whether the pigment is an
inorganic pigment or an organic pigment, considering that high
transmittance is preferred. The pigment has an average primary particle
diameter in the range of preferably from 10 to 25 nm, in consideration of
handling properties.

[0210]The below descriptions of pigment are common to all aspects of the
invention including the pigment (b) and the pigment (B) of the first and
the second embodiments, unless otherwise indicated. Examples of inorganic
pigments include a metal compound such as a metal oxide or a metal
complex salt. Specific examples thereof include: an oxide of a metal such
as iron, cobalt, aluminum, cadmium, lead, copper, titanium, magnesium,
chromium, zinc, or antimony; and a complex oxide of any of the above
metals.

[0229]These organic pigments may be used singly, or in various
combinations in order to increase color purity. Specific examples of
combinations of organic pigments are described below.

[0230]For example, an anthraquinone pigment, a perylene pigment, or a
diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment may be used singly, or a mixture of at least
one of these with a disazo yellow pigment, an isoindoline yellow pigment,
or a quinophthalone yellow pigment, or with a perylene red pigment, an
anthraquinone red pigment, or a diketopyrrolopyroole red pigment may be
used as a pigment in red.

[0231]Examples of the anthraquinone pigment include C.I. Pigment Red 177,
examples of the perylene pigment include C.I. Pigment Red 155 and C.I.
Pigment Red 224, and examples of the diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment include
C.I. Pigment Red 254. From the viewpoint of color reproduction
properties, a mixture with C.I. Pigment Yellow 83, C.I. Pigment Yellow
139, or C.I. Pigment Red 177 is preferable. The mass ratio of red pigment
to other pigments is preferably from 100:5 to 100:80 from the viewpoints
of light transmittance at from 400 nm to 500 nm and color purity. The
mass ratio is most suitably in the range of from 100:10 to 100:65. When
red pigments are combined with each other, the mass ratio therebetween
may be controlled in accordance with chromaticity.

[0232]As a green pigment, a halogenated phthalocyanine pigment may be used
singly, or may be used in mixture with a disazo yellow pigment, a
quinophthalone yellow pigment, an azomethine yellow pigment or an
isoindoline yellow pigment.

[0233]For example, a mixture of C.I. Pigment Green 7, 36, or 37 with C.I.
Pigment Yellow 83, C.I. Pigment Yellow 138, C.I. Pigment Yellow 139, C.I.
Pigment Yellow 150, C.I. Pigment Yellow 180, or C.I. Pigment Yellow 185
is a preferable example thereof. The mass ratio of green pigment to
yellow pigment is preferably from 100:5 to 100:200 from the viewpoints of
light transmittance at from 400 to 450 nm and color purity. The mass
ratio is particularly preferably in the range of from 100:20 to 100:150.

[0234]As a blue pigment, a phthalocyanine pigment may be used singly, or
may be used in mixture with a dioxazine purple pigment.

[0236]The mass ratio of blue pigment to purple pigment is preferably from
100:0 to 100:100, and more preferably from 100:(70 or less).

[0237]As a pigment suitable for use in black matrix applications, carbon
black, graphite, titanium black, iron oxide, or titanium oxide may be
used singly, or a mixture of two or more thereof may used. A combination
of carbon black and titanium black is preferable.

[0238]The mass ratio of carbon black to titanium black is in the range of
preferably from 100:0 to 100:60. When the titanium black amount is
greater than 100:60, dispersion stability decreases in some cases.

[0239](Fining of Pigment)

[0240]In the first embodiment, the aforementioned pigment may be used in
the form of a fine pigment of which particle diameter is uniformized, as
necessary.

[0241]In the fining of the pigment, it is preferable to employ a method
including a process of preparing highly viscous liquid composition from
the pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a water-soluble
inorganic salt, and grinding the liquid composition.

[0242]In the first embodiment, it is preferable to employ the following
method for fining the pigment.

[0243]Specifically, in the method, first, a mixture (liquid composition)
of an organic pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a
water-soluble inorganic salt is applied with a strong shear force using a
kneader such as a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, a ball mill, a
trommel, a disper, a kneader, a cokneader, a homogenizer, a blender, or a
monoaxial or biaxial extruder so as to grind the pigment in the mixture,
and thereafter the mixture is added into water and turned into a slurry
state using an agitator or the like. Next, the resultant slurry is
subjected to filteration and washing with water so as to remove the
water-soluble organic solvent and the water-soluble inorganic salt, and
then dried, thereby providing a fined pigment.

[0245]Benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene,
aniline, pyridine, quinoline, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl acetate,
isopropyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane,
decane, undecane, dodecane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, halogenated
hydrocarbon, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone,
cyclohexanone, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone,
or the like may be uses as long as the amount thereof is so small that
the solvent is adsorbed on the pigment and do not flow into waste water.
A mixture of two or more solvents may be used, if necessary.

[0246]The amount of water-soluble organic solvent to be used is preferably
in the range of from 50 to 300% by mass, more preferably the range of
from 100 to 200% by mass, relative to the pigment.

[0247]Eaxmples of The water-soluble inorganic salt in the first embodiment
include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, barium
chloride, and sodium sulfate.

[0248]The amount, in terms of mass ratio, of water-soluble inorganic salt
to be used is preferably from 1 to 50 times that of the organic pigment,
more preferably from 1 to 10 times that of the organic pigment, from the
viewpoint of productivity, although a greater amount provides a higher
grinding effect.

[0249]The moisture content of the liquid composition to be ground is
preferably 1% by mass or less in order to prevent dissolution of the
water-soluble inorganic salt.

[0250]In the first embodiment, a wet milling apparatus such as the
kneaders described above may be used to grind the liquid composition
containing the pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a
water-soluble inorganic salt. The operation conditions of the wet milling
apparatus are not particularly limited. However, in order to effectively
perform grinding by a milling media (the water-soluble inorganic salt),
the operation conditions when a kneader is used as the apparatus are such
that the number of revolutions of a blade in the apparatus is preferably
from 10 to 200 r.p.m., and the rotation speed ratio between two axes is
preferably relatively higher from the viewpoint of obtaining higher
grinding effect. The operation time inclusive of dry milling time is
preferably from 1 to 8 hours, and the internal temperature of the
apparatus is preferably from 50 to 150° C. The water-soluble
inorganic salt as a milling media preferably has a milling particle size
of from 5 to 50 μm, a sharp particle diameter distribution, and a
spherical shape.

[0251]The mixture after grinding is mixed with warm water having a
temperature of 80° C. so as to dissolve the water-soluble organic
solvent and the water-soluble inorganic salt, and thereafter subjected to
filteration, washing with water, and drying in an oven, as a result of
which a fine pigment is obtained.

[0252]When the liquid composition at the time of fining the organic
pigment further includes a resin that is at least partially soluble in
the water-soluble organic solvent, a fine processed pigment of which the
surface is coated with a resin and which exhibits less aggregation of the
pigment during drying is obtained.

[0253]The resin that is at least partially soluble in the water-soluble
organic solvent, which is used in the process of preparing a processed
pigment, may be a known resin used as a pigment dispersant. However, in
the first embodiment, the resin that is at least partially soluble in the
water-soluble organic solvent is preferably the (a) specific polymer
described above.

[0254]The content of the (b) pigment in the pigment-dispersed composition
of the first embodiment is preferably from 5% by mass to 50% by mass,
more preferably from 10% by mass to 30% by mass, and further preferably
from 10% by mass to 20% by mass.

[0255](Processing of Pigment)

[0256]It is preferable that the pigment used in the second embodiment has
been subjected to fining treatment in advance. With respect to fining of
pigment primary particles, a method of mechanically kneading i) a
pigment, ii) a water-soluble inorganic salt and iii) a water-soluble
organic solvent that does not substantially dissolve the inorganic salt
using a kneader or the like (salt milling method) is widely known. In
this process, iv) a high-molecular compound for covering the pigment, v)
a pigment derivative, or the like may be additionally used, if necessary.

[0257]Examples of the i) pigment include the pigments described above.

[0258]The ii) water-soluble inorganic salt is not particularly limited as
long as it dissolves in water. Examples of water-soluble inorganic salts
that can be used include sodium chloride, barium chloride, potassium
chloride, and sodium sulfate. It is preferable to use sodium chloride or
sodium sulfate from the viewpoint of price. The amount, in terms of mass
ratio, of the inorganic salt used in salt milling may be 1 to 30 times,
particularly 5 to 25 times, that of the organic pigment, from the
viewpoints of both of processing efficiency and production efficiency.
Furthermore, the moisture content is preferably 1% or less. Although a
higher amount ratio of the inorganic salt to the organic pigment leads to
an increased fining efficiency, it also reduces the amount of the pigment
processed at one time.

[0259]The small amount of the iii) water-soluble organic solvent that does
not substantially dissolve the inorganic salt is not particularly limited
as long as it serves to wet the organic pigment and the inorganic salt,
dissolves (is miscible) in water, and does not substantially dissolve the
inorganic salt used. However, the water-soluble organic solvent is
preferably a high-boiling solvent having a boiling point of 120°
C. or higher from the viewpoint of safety since the temperature rises and
evaporation of solvent is facilitated during salt milling.

[0261]However, benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene,
nitrobenzene, aniline, pyridine, quinoline, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane,
ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexane, heptane, octane,
nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane,
halogenated hydrocarbon, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl
ketone, cyclohexanone, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methyl
pyrrolidone, or the like may be used as long as the amount thereof is so
small that the solvent is adsorbed on the pigment and do not flow into
waste water. A mixture of two or more solvents may be used, if necessary.

[0262]The amount of the water-soluble organic solvent to be added in the
second embodiment is preferably from 5 to 50 parts by weight, more
preferably from 10 to 40 parts by weight, and most suitably 15 to 35
parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic salt.
When the addition amount is less than 5 parts by weight, there are cases
in which uniform kneading is difficult and the particle sizes are uneven.
When the addition amount is 50 parts by weight or more, there are cases
in which a kneaded composition is too soft, shear is less efficiently
applied to the kneaded composition, and thus sufficient fining effect is
not obtained.

[0263]The water-soluble organic solvent may be added all at once at an
initial stage of salt milling, or may be added in portions. The
water-soluble organic solvent may be used singly, or in combination of
two or more thereof.

[0264]The operation conditions of the wet milling apparatus in the second
embodiment are not particularly limited. However, in order to effectively
perform grinding by a milling media, the operation conditions when a
kneader is used as the appratus are such that the number of revolutions
of a blade in the apparatus is preferably from 10 to 200 r.p.m. and the
rotation speed ratio between two axes is preferably relatively higher
from the viewpoint of obtaining higher grinding effect. The operation
time inclusive of dry milling time is preferably from 1 to 8 hours, and
the internal temperature of the apparatus is preferably from 50 to
150° C. The water-soluble inorganic salt as a milling media
preferably has a milling particle size of from 5 to 50 μm, a sharp
particle diameter distribution, and a spherical shape.

[0265]At room temperature, the high-molecular compound for covering the
pigment is preferably solid, water-insoluble, and at least partially
soluble in the water-soluble organic solvent used as a wetting agent
during salt milling. The high-molecular compound for covering the pigment
may be a natural resin, a modified natural resin, a synthetic resin, a
synthetic resin modified with a natural resin, or the (A) graft
high-molecular polymer according to the second embodiment in which
acrylic acid is copolymerized, and is particularly preferably the (A)
specific graft polymer according to the second embodiment.

[0266]In the case of a dry processed pigment, the compound to be used is
preferably solid at room temperature. A representative example of the
natural resin is rosin, and examples of the modified natural resin
include a rosin derivative, a cellulose derivative, a rubber derivative,
a protein derivative and oligomers thereof Examples of the synthetic
resin include an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a maleic acid resin, a
butyral resin, a polyester resin, a melamine resin, a phenol resin, and a
polyurethane resin. Examples of the synthetic resin modified with a
natural resin include a rosin-modified maleic acid resin and a
rosin-modified phenol resin.

[0274]The amount of organic solvent to be added is suitably selected in
accordance with, for example, the application of the pigment-dispersed
composition. In a case in which the pigment-dispersed composition is to
be used in the preparation of the colored photosensitive composition
described below, the organic solvent may be added such that the
concentration of solids, including the pigment and the like, becomes to
be from 5% by mass to 50% by mass, from the viewpoint of handling
properties.

[0275][Other Components]

[0276]A pigment derivative is preferably used in the pigment-dispersed
composition of the first embodiment.

[0277]In the first embodiment, a pigment derivative into which a portion
having affinity for the dispersant or a polar group has been introduced
may be allowed to be adsorbed on the surface of a processed pigment, and
may be used as an adsorption site for the dispersant, as a result of
which the pigment is dispersed in the pigment-dispered composition as
fine particles, and re-aggregation thereof is prevented. Namely, the
pigment derivative has exerts effect of promoting adsorption of a
high-molecular dispersant such as the (a) specific polymer, through
modification of the pigment surface.

[0278]The pigment derivative is specifically a compound of which the
mother skeleton is an organic pigment, and to which an acidic group, a
basic group, or an aromatic group has been introduced, as a substituent,
into a side chain. Specifically, examples of the organic pigment for
forming the mother skeleton include a quinacridone pigment, a
phthalocyanine pigment, an azo pigment, a quinophthalone pigment, an
isoindoline pigment, an isoindolinone pigment, a quinoline pigment, a
diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment, and a benzimidazolone pigment.

[0279]The scope of the mother skeleton includes a pale yellow aromatic
polycyclic compound such as a naphthalene-based compound, an
anthraquinone-based compound, a triazine-based compound, or a
quinoline-based compound, each of which is not generally referred to as
dye.

[0281]When the pigment derivative is used in the pigment-dispersed
composition of the first embodiment, the amount of the pigment derivative
to be used is preferably in the range of from 1% by mass to 80% by mass,
more preferably in the range of from 3% by mass to 65% by mass, and
particularly preferably in the range of from 5% by mass to 50% by mass,
relative to the pigment. When the content is within the above range, the
pigment can be satisfactorily dispersed while maintaning the viscosity
low, and, further, dispersion stability after dispersing is improved.

[0282]By applying the pigment-dispersed composition to production of a
color filer, a color filter having high transmittance, excellent color
properties, and high contrast can be obtained.

[0283]It is also possible to use a dispersant, such as a surfactant, in
the pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment.

[0284][Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition]

[0285]The pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment can be
prepared through a mixing-dispersing process in which mixing and
dispersing is performed using various mixers or dispersers.

[0287]Specifically, the pigment-dispersed composition of the first
embodiment can be prepared by, for example, subjecting the (a) specific
polymer, the (b) pigment, and the (c) organic solvent to fine dispersing
treatment with beads having a particle diameter of from 0.01 mm to 1 mm
and made of glass, zirconia, or the like, using a vertical or horizontal
sand grinder, a pin mill, a slit mill, an ultrasonic disperser, or the
like.

[0288]Before the fine dispersing using beads, kneading-dispersing
treatment may be performed while applying a strong shearing force by
using, for example, a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, a ball mill, a
trommel, a disper, a kneader, a cokneader, a homogenizer, a blender, or a
monoaxial or biaxial extruder.

[0289]Specifics of the kneading and the dispersing are described in "Paint
Flow and Pigment dispersion liquid", authored by T. C. Patton (published
by John Wiley and Sons Co. 1964) and the like. Methods described therein
are applicable to the first embodiment.

[0290]<Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0291]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment
includes the pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment
described above, a photopolymerizable compound, and a photopolymerization
initiator, and preferably further includes an alkali-soluble resin, and
may further include other components if necessary.

[0292]Each of components contained in the colored photosensitive
composition of the first embodiment is described in detail below.

[0293][Pigment-Dispersed Composition]

[0294]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment
includes at least one kind of the pigment-dispersed composition of the
first embodiment described above. The specifics of the pigment-dispersed
composition of the first embodiment contained in the colored
photosensitive composition are as described above.

[0295]The content of the pigment-dispersed composition in the colored
photosensitive composition of the first embodiment is preferably such
that the content of the pigment is preferably in the range of from 5% by
mass to 70% by mass, more preferably in the range of from 15% by mass to
60% by mass, relative to the total solids content (mass) of the colored
photosensitive composition. A content of the pigment-dispersed
composition within the above range provides sufficient color density, and
is effective in securing excellent color properties.

[0296][Photopolymerizable Compound]

[0297]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment
includes at least one photopolymerizable compound.

[0298]The photopolymerizable compound that may be used in the first
embodiment is an addition-polymerizable compound having at least one
ethylenic unsaturated double bond, and is selected from compounds having
at least one terminal ethylenic unsaturated bond, preferably two or more
terminal ethylenic unsaturated bonds. Such a class of compounds is widely
known in the relevant industrial field, and such compounds may be used in
the first embodiment without particular limitations. The
photopolymerizable compound may be in the chemical form of a monomer or a
prepolymer, specifically a dimer, a trimer, or an oligomer, or a mixture
thereof or a copolymer thereof

[0299]Examples of the monomer and the copolymer thereof include
unsaturated carboxylic acids (such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,
itaconic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, and maleic acid), esters
thereof, and amides thereof. Preferable examples thereof include: an
ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an aliphatic polyhydric
alcohol compound; an amide of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an
aliphatic polyamine compound; an addition reaction product of an
unsaturated carboxylic ester or unsaturated carboxylic amide having a
nucleophilic substituent (such as a hydroxyl group, an amino group, or a
mercapto group), with a monofunctional or polyfunctional isocyanate or
epoxy compound; and a dehydration condensation reaction product of the
unsaturated carboxlic ester or unsaturated carboxylic amide with a
monofunctional or polyfunctional carboxylic acid. Other preferable
examples include: an addition reaction product of an unsaturated
carboxylic ester or unsaturated carboxylic amide having an electrophilic
substituent (such as an isocyanate group or an epoxy group), with a
monofunctional or polyfunctional alcohol, amine, or thiol; and a
substitution reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic ester or
unsaturated carboxylic amide having a halogen group or a leaving
substituent (such as a tosyloxy group), with a monofunctional or
polyfunctional alcohol, amine, or thiol. Still other examples for use
include compounds each obtained by replacing an unsaturated carboxylic
acid in the above examples by an unsaturated phosphonic acid, styrene,
vinyl ether, or the like.

[0300]Specific examples of the ester of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol
compound and an unsaturated carboxylic acid as a monomer include:

[0307]Examples of other esters that can be suitably used include the
aliphatic alcohol esters described in JP-B No. 51-47334 and JP-A No.
57-196231, the aromatic skeleton-containing esters described in JP-A No.
59-5240, JP-A No. 59-5241 and JP-A No. 2-226149, and the amino
group-containing esters described in JP-A No. 01-165613. The ester
monomers described above may be used in the form of a mixture thereof.

[0308]Examples of the amide of an aliphatic polyamine compound and an
unsaturated carboxylic acid as a monomer include methylene
bis-acrylamide, methylene bis-methacrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene
bis-acrylamide, 1,6-hexamethylene bis-methacrylamide, diethylenetriamine
trisacrylamide, xylylene bisacrylamide, and xylylene bismethacrylamide.

[0309]Examples of other preferred amide monomers include those having a
cyclohexylene structure described in JP-B No. 54-21726.

[0310]Addition-polymerizable urethane compounds produced by an addition
reaction of isocyanate with a hydroxyl group are also preferred, specific
examples of which include vinyl urethane compounds, which have two or
more polymerizable vinyl groups within a molecule thereof and are
produced by adding a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer represented
by the following Formula (a) to a polyisocyanate compound having two or
more isocyanate groups within a molecule thereof and described in JP-B
No. 48-41708.

CH2═C(R)COOCH2CH(R')OH Formula (a)

[0311](wherein R and R' each represent H or CH3)

[0312]Urethane acrylates such as those described in JP-A No. 51-37193,
JP-B No. 2-32293 and JP-B No. 2-16765, and urethane compounds having an
ethyleneoxide skeleton and described in JP-B No. 58-49860, JP-B No.
56-17654, JP-B No. 62-39417 and JP-B No. 62-39418 are also preferable. A
photopolymerizable composition having excellent photoresponsive speed can
also be obtained by using an addition-polymerizable compound having an
amino or sulfide structure in a molecule thereof, which are disclosed in
JP-A No. 63-277653, JP-A No. 63-260909, and JP-A No. 1-105238.

[0313]Other examples include polyester acrylates such as those described
in JP-A No. 48-64183, JP-B No. 49-43191, and JP-B No. 52-30490, and
polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates such as an epoxy acrylate
obtained by reaction of an epoxy resin and (meth)acrylic acid. Further
examples include the particular unsaturated compounds described in JP-B
No. 46-43946, JP-B No. 1-40337, and JP-B No. 1-40336, and the
vinylphosphonic acid compounds described in JP-A No. 2-25493. Further,
the structure containing a perfluoroalkyl group and described in JP-A No.
61-22048 is suitably used in some cases. Photocurable monomers and
oligomers described in Nihon Secchaku Kyoukaishi (Journal of the Adhesion
Society of Japan), Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 300 to 308 (1984) are also usable.

[0314]Details of how to use the addition-polymerizable compounds, such as
what structure should be used, whether they should be used singly or in
combination, or what amount should be added, may be freely determined
depending on the final performance design of the colored photosensitive
composition.

[0315]For example, they may be selected from the following viewpoints. In
view of sensitivity, a structure having a higher content of the
unsaturated groups per molecule is preferable, and difunctional or higher
functional structures are preferred in many cases. In order to increase
the strength of the cured film, tri- or higher-functional structures are
preferred. A method of using a combination of compounds having different
numbers of functional groups and/or different types of polymerizable
groups (for example, an acrylic ester, a methacrylic ester, a styrenic
compound, or a vinyl ether compound) is also effective for controlling
both of sensitivity and strength.

[0316]How to select and use the addition-polymerizable compound is also an
important factor for the compatibility with or dispersibility to other
components contained in the colored photosensitive composition (such as a
binder polymer (e.g., an alkali-soluble resin), a photopolymerization
initiator, a colorant (pigment)). For example, in some cases, the
compatibility may be improved by using a low-purity compound or by using
a combination of two or more compounds.

[0317]A particular structure may also be selected in order to improve
adhesion to a substrate or the like. The addition-polymerizable compound
is used in an amount of preferably from 5% by mass to 70% by mass, and
more preferably from 10% by mass to 60% by mass, relative to nonvolatile
components in the colored photosensitive composition. The
addition-polymerizable compound may be used singly, or in combination of
two or more thereof. In regard to the manner of use of the
addition-polymerizable compound, an appropriate structure, an appropriate
composition, and an appropriaet addition amount may be freely selected
from the viewpoints of degree of polymerization inhibition due to oxygen,
resolution, fogging properties, change in refractive index, surface
adhesiveness, or the like.

[0318]<(E) Pigment Derivative>

[0319]A pigment derivative is added, if necessary, to the
pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment. A pigment
derivative into which a portion having affinity for the dispersant or a
polar group has been introduced may be allowed to be adsorbed on the
surface of a processed pigment, and may be used as an adsorption site for
the dispersant, as a result of which the pigment is dispersed in the
photocurable composition as fine particles, and re-aggregation thereof is
prevented. Therefore, the pigment derivative is effective for forming a
color filter that has high contrast and excellent transparency.

[0320]The pigment derivative is specifically a compound of which the
mother skeleton is an organic pigment, and to which an acidic group, a
basic group, or an aromatic group has been introduced, as a substituent,
into a side chain. Specificaly, examples of the organic pigment for
forming the mother skeleton include a quinacridone pigment, a
phthalocyanine pigment, an azo pigment, a quinophthalone pigment, an
isoindoline pigment, an isoindolinone pigment, a quinoline pigment, a
diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment, and a benzimidazolone pigment.

[0321]The scope of the matrix skeleton includes a pale yellow aromatic
polycyclic compound such as a naphthalene-based compound, an
anthraquinone-based compound, a triazine-based compound, or a
quinoline-based compound, each of which is not generally referred to as
dye. Examples of the dye derivative include those described in JP-A No.
11-49974, JP-A No. 11-189732, JP-A No. 10-245501, JP-A No. 2006-265528,
JP-A No. 8-295810, JP-A No. 11-199796, JP-A No. 2005-234478, JP-A No.
2003-240938, JP-A No. 2001-356210 and the like.

[0322]The content of the pigment derivative in the pigment-dispersed
composition of the second embodiment is preferably from 1 to 30 parts by
weight, and more preferably from 3 to 20 parts by weight, relative to 100
parts by weight of the pigment. When the content is within the range, the
pigment is satisfactorily dispersed while maintaining the viscosity low
and, further, dispersion stability after dispersing is improved. By
applying the pigment-dispersed composition to production of a color
filter, a color filter having high transmittance, excellent color
properties, and high contrast can be obtained.

[0323]In regard to the timing of adding the pigment derivative, the
pigment derivative may be added at the time of salt milling, or at the
time of dispersing. The pigment derivative may be added both of at the
time of salt milling and at the time of dispersing.

[0324]In regard to the method of dispersing, dispersing may be carried out
by, for example, finely dispersing a mixture, which has prepared by
mixing the pigment and the dispersant in advance and dispersing the
resultant with a homogenizer or the like in advance, by using, for
example, a bead dispersing machine (for example, DISPERMAT, manufactured
by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads or the like are used. It is
preferable that the dispersion time is approximately from 3 to 6 hours.

[0325]<Dispersant>

[0326]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment includes
at least one dispersant. By using the dispersant, dispersibility of the
pigment is improved.

[0327]As the dispersant, at least the (A) specific graft polymer described
above needs to be used. The use of the (A) specific graft polymer
provides a favorable dispersion state of the pigment in an organic
solvent; for example in a case in which a color filter is produced using
the pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment, the use of
the (A) specific graft polymer offers high developability and surface
smoothness even at high pigment content concentrations.

[0328]In a case in which the (A) specific graft polymer is used as a
dispersant, the high-molecular compound described above may be used.

[0329]As necessary, a dispersant such as a conventional known pigment
dispersant or a surfactant, and/or other components may be added in
addition to the (A) specific graft polymer and the (D) basic graft
high-molecular compound, which is a preferable additional component.

[0331]High-molecular dispersants can be classified into linear polymers,
terminal-modified polymers, graft polymers, and block polymers, based on
the structures thereof.

[0332]The ratio of the high-molecular compound for covering the pigment to
the dispersant is not particularly limited, and is preferably from 10/90
to 90/10, and more preferably from 20/80 to 80/20, when the dispersant is
a high-molecular dispersant.

[0333]<(C) Organic Solvent>

[0334]The solvent in the pigment-dispersed composition of the second
embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is an organic
solvent, and may be suitably selected from known solvents. Examples of
thereof include (poly)alkyleneglycol monoalkyl ethers such as
1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, ethyleneglycol
monomethyl ether, ethyleneglycol monoethyl ether, propyleneglycol
monomethyl ether, propyleneglycol monoethyl ether, diethyleneglycol
monomethyl ether, and ethyleneglycol monoethyl ether, and acetic esters
thereof; acetic esters such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, i-propyl
acetate, n-butyl acetate, and i-butyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such
as benzene, toluene, and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone,
acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; and alcohols such as
ethanol, propanol, butanol, hexanol, cyclohexanol, ethyleneglycol,
diethyleneglycol, and glycerin. The solvent may be used singly, or in a
combination of two or more thereof. Among them, alkyleneglycol monoalkyl
ethers and acetic esters thereof, acetic esters, methyl ethyl ketone, and
the like are preferable.

[0335]The content of the solvent in the pigment-dispersed composition is
suitably selected in accordance with, for example, the applications of
the pigment-dispersed composition. In a case in which the
pigment-dispersed composition is used in preparation of the photocurable
composition described below, the concentration of solids, including
pigments and pigment dispersants, may be from 5 to 50% by mass, from the
viewpoint of handling properties.

[0336]It is preferable that 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate is contained, as an
(C) organic solvent, at 10% by mass or higher.

[0337]A preferable embodiment of the pigment-dispersed composition of the
second embodiment is a pigment-dispersed composition including a
processed pigment coated with a high-molecular compound having a weight
average molecular weight of 1,000 or more, a pigment derivative, and a
dispersant which are dispersed in an organic solvent. The (A) specific
graft polymer may be used as a high-molecular compound for covering the
pigment to be added at the time of processing the pigment, or may be used
as a dispersant. It is permissible to use independent (A) specific graft
polymers as the high-molecular compound for covering the pigment and as
the dispersant, respectively. The (A) specific graft polymer is
preferably used as the dispersant.

[0338]The addition amount of the dispersant is preferably from 0.5 to 100%
by mass, more preferably from 3 to 100% by mass, and particularly
preferably from 5 to 80% by mass, with respect to the pigment when the
dispersant is a high-molecular dispersant. When the amount of the pigment
dispersant is within the range, sufficient pigment-dispersion effect is
obtained. However, the optimal addition amount of the dispersant is
suitably adjusted by a combination of the kind of a pigment to be used,
and the kind of a solvent.

[0339]--Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition--

[0340]The manner of preparing the pigment-dispersed composition of the
second embodiment is not particularly limited. The pigment-dispersed
composition of the second embodiment can be obtained by, for example,
subjecting the pigment, the pigment dispersant, and the solvent to fine
dispersing treatment with beads having a particle diameter of from 0.01
mm to 1 mm and made of glass, zirconia, or the like, using a vertical or
horizontal sand grinder, a pin mill, a slit mill, an ultrasonic
disperser, or the like.

[0341]Before the dispersing using beads, kneading-dispersing treatment may
be performed while applying a strong shearing force by using, for
example, a two-roll mill, a three-roll mill, a ball mill, a trommel, a
disper, a kneader, a cokneader, a homogenizer, a blender, or a monoaxial
or biaxial extruder.

[0342]Specifics of the kneading and the dispersing are described in "Paint
Flow and Pigment dispersion liquid", authored by T. C. Patton (published
by John Wiley and Sons Co. 1964) and the like.

[0343]The pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment is
suitably used in a photocurable composition for use in production of a
color filter.

[0344][Photocurable Composition]

[0345]The photocurable composition of the second embodiment includes the
pigment-dispersed composition of the second embodiment described above,
(F) a polymerizable compound, and (G) a photopolymerization initiator,
and may contain other components such as an alkali-soluble resin, if
necessary. Each component is described in detail below.

[0346]The concentration of pigment in the photocurable composition of the
second embodiment (the proportion of pigment (in terms of % by mass)
relative to the total solids content of the photocurable composition) is
preferably 35% by mass or higher, and more preferably 40% by mass or
higher. The effect of the second embodiment is particularly conspicuous
when the pigment concentration is high; it is possible to provide a
photocurable composition which has high pigment dispersibility and
dispersion stability that has not been achieved by conventional
techniques, and which provides a dry film having high solvent solubility
and generates less development residues on the substrate.

[0347](F) Polymerizable Compound

[0348]The polymerizable compound is preferably a compound having at least
one ethylenic unsaturated group capable of addition polymerization, and
having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher at normal pressure.
The polymerizable compound is more preferably a tetra- or
higher-functional acrylate compound.

[0349]Examples of the compound having at least one ethylenic unsaturated
group capable of addition polymerization, and having a boiling point of
100° C. or higher at normal pressure include: monofunctional
acrylates or methacrylates, such as polyethyleneglycol
mono(meth)acrylate, polypropyleneglycol mono(meth)acrylate, and
phenoxyethyl(meth)acrylate; and polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates
such as polyethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolethane
tri(meth)acrylate, neopentylglycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol
tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol
hexa(meth)acrylate, hexanediol(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane
tri(acryloyloxypropyl)ether, tri(acryloyloxyethyl)isocyanurate, compounds
obtained by adding ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to a polyfunctional
alcohol such as glycerin or trimethylolethane and then (meth)acrylating
the resultant, poly(meth)acrylated pentaerythritol or poly(meth)acrylated
dipentaerythritol, urethane acrylates described in JP-B Nos. 48-41708 and
50-6034 and JP-A No. 51-37193, polyester acrylates described in JP-A No.
48-64183 and JP-B Nos. 49-43191 and 52-30490, and epoxy acrylates which
are reaction products of epoxy resins and (meth)acrylic acid.

[0350]Photocurable monomers and oligomers described in Nihon Secchaku
Kyoukaishi (Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan), Vol. 20, No. 7,
pp. 300 to 308 are also usable.

[0351]The compounds obtained by adding ethylene oxide or propylene oxide
to a polyfunctional alcohol and (meth)acrylating the resultant, and which
are described as Formulas (1) and (2) together with specific examples
thereof in JP-A No. 10-62986, are also usable.

[0352]In particular, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate,
dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, and structures in which acryloyl
groups of either of these compounds are linked to the dipentaerythritol
via ethyleneglycol or propyleneglycol residues, are preferable. Oligomers
thereof are also usable.

[0353]Urethane acrylates such as those described in JP-B No. 48-41708,
JP-A No. 51-37193, JP-B No. 2-32293, and JP-B No. 2-16765, and urethane
compounds having an ethyleneoxide skeleton and described in JP-B Nos.
58-49860, 56-17654, 62-39417, and 62-39418, are also preferable.
Photopolymerizable compositions having excellent photoresponsive speed
can be obtained by using addition-polymerizable compounds having an amino
structure or a sulfide structure in a molecule thereof, which are
described in JP-A Nos. 63-277653, 63-260909, and 1-105238. Commercially
available products thereof include: urethane oligomers UAS-10 and UAB-140
(manufactured by Sanyo-Kokusaku pulp Co., Ltd.); UA-7200 (manufactured by
Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.); DPHA-40H (manufactured by Nippon
Kayaku Co., Ltd.); and UA-306H, UA-306T, UA-306I, AH-600, T-600, and
AI-600 (manufactured by Kyoei Co., Ltd.).

[0354]Ethylenic unsaturated compounds having an acid group are also
preferable, and commercially-available products thereof include TO-756
(manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.), which is a trifunctional acrylate
containing a carboxyl group, and TO-1382 (manufactured by Toagosei Co.,
Ltd.), which is a pentafunctional acrylate containing a carboxyl group.

[0355]The (F) polymerizable compound may be used singly, or in combination
of two or more thereof.

[0356]The content of polymerizable compound in the photocurable
composition is preferably from 3 to 55% by mass, more preferably from 10
to 50% by mass, relative to the total solids content of the composition.
When the content of polymerizable compound is within the above range,
curing reaction proceeds sufficiently.

[0357][Photopolymerization Initiator]

[0358]The following descriptions of photopolymerization initiator are
common to all aspects of the invention, including the first and second
embodiments. Examples of photopolymerization initiator in the invention
include: the halomethyl oxadiazoles described in JP-A No. 57-6096; active
halogen compounds such as halomethyl-s-triazines such as those described
in JP-B No. 59-1281 and JP-A No. 53-133428; aromatic carbonyl compounds
such as the ketals, acetals, or benzoin alkyl ethers described in US
Patent No. 4318791, European Patent Application Publication No. 88050,
and the like; aromatic ketone compounds such as the benzophenones
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,420; the (thio)xanthone or acridine
compounds described in French Patent of Invention No. 2456741; compounds,
such as coumarin compounds and lophine dimers, described in JP-A No.
10-62986; and sulfonium organic boron complexes such as those described
in JP-A No. 8-015521.

[0369]In the invention, photopolymerization initiators are not limited to
the above, and other known photopolymerization initiators may be used.
Examples thereof include: vicinal polyketolaldonyl compounds described in
U.S. Pat. No. 2,367,660; a-carbonyl compounds described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,367,661 and 2,367,670; acyloin ethers described in U.S. Pat. No.
2,448,828; aromatic acyloin compounds substituted by an a-hydrocarbon
described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512; polynuclear quinone compounds
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758; a combination of a
triallylimidazole dimer/p-aminophenyl ketone described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,549,367; benzothiazole compounds/trihalomethyl-s-triazine compounds
described in JP-B No. 51-48516; and oxime ester compounds described in J.
C. S. Perkin II (1979) 1653-1660, J. C. S. Perkin II (1979)156-162,
Journal of Photopolymer Science and Technology (1995) 202-232, and JP-A
No. 2000-66385.

[0370]These photopolymerization initiators may be used in combination.

[0371]The content of photopolymerization initiator in the colored
photosensitive composition in the first embodiment is preferably from
0.1% by mass to 10.0% by mass, and more preferably from 0.5% by mass to
5.0% by mass, relative to the total solids content of the composition.
When the content of the photopolymerization initiator is within the above
range, polymerization reaction proceeds well, thereby allowing formation
of a film having favorable strength.

[0372]The content of photopolymerization initiator in the photocurable
composition of the second embodiment is preferably from 0.1 to 10.0% by
mass, and more preferably from 0.5 to 5.0% by mass, relative to the total
solids content of the composition. When the content of the
photopolymerization initiator is within the above range, polymerization
reaction proceeds well, thereby allowing formation of a film having
favorable strength.

[0373][Alkali-soluble Resin]

[0374]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment
preferably includes an alkali-soluble resin. Inclusion of an
alkali-soluble resin in the colored photosensitive composition improves
pattern formation properties in a case in which the colored
photosensitive composition is applied to photolithographic pattern
formation. Similarly, the photocurable composition of the second
embodiment may include an alkali-soluble resin. The following
descriptions of alkali-soluble resin are common to all aspects of the
invention, including the first and the second embodiments.

[0375]The alkali-soluble resin is a linear organic high-molecular polymer,
and may be suitably selected from alkali-soluble resins having at least
one alkali-solubility-promoting group (such as a carboxyl group, a
phosphoric acid group, or a sulfonic acid group) within a molecule
(preferably a molecule of which the main chain is an acrylic copolymer or
a styrenic copolymer). Among these, alkali-soluble resins that are
soluble in an organic solvent and developable by a weakly alkaline
aqueous solution are more preferable.

[0376]For production of an alkali-soluble resin, for example, a method
involving a known radical polymerization method may be applied. When
producing an alkali-soluble resin according to a radical polymerization
method, polymerization conditions such as the temperature, the pressure,
the type and amount of radical initiator and the type of solvent can be
easily set by a person skilled in the art, and can be determined
experimentally

[0377]The linear organic high-molecular polymer is preferably a polymer
having carboxylic acid at a side chain thereof. Examples thereof include
methacrylic acid copolymers, acrylic acid copolymers, itaconic acid
copolymers, crotonic acid copolymers, maleic acid copolymers, and
partially-esterified maleic acid copolymers such as those described in
JP-A No. No. 59-44615, JP-B No. 54-34327, JP-B No. 58-12577, JP-B No.
54-25957, JP-A No. 59-53836, and JP-A No. 59-71048; acidic cellulose
derivatives having carboxylic acid at a side chain thereof; and products
obtained by addition of an acid anhydride to a polymer having a hydroxyl
group. Preferable examples also include high-molecular polymers having a
(meth)acryloyl group at a side chain thereof

[0381]A preferable example of the alkali-soluble resin in the invention is
a copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid and other monomer(s) copolymerizable
therewith. Here, "(meth)acrylic acid" is a generic term encompassing
acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and "(meth)acrylate" is a generic term
encompassing acrylate and methacrylate; the same applies hereinafter.

[0382]Examples of the above-mentioned other monomers copolymerizable with
(meth)acrylic acid include alkyl(meth)acrylates, aryl(meth)acrylates, and
vinyl compounds. Here, a hydrogen atom of the alkyl group and a hydrogen
atom of the aryl group may be replaced by a substituent.

[0384]Examples of the vinyl compounds include styrene, a-mehylstyrene,
vinyltoluene, glycidyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate,
N-vinylpyrrolidone, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, polystyrene
macromonomer, poly(methyl methacrylate)macromonomer,
CH2═CR1R2, and CH2═C(R1)(COOR3),
wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from
1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring
having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R3 represents an alkyl group
having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group having from 6 to 12
carbon atoms.

[0385]The above-described other copolymerizable monomers may be used
singly, or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0386]The other copolymerizable monomer or monomers are preferably at
least one selected from CH2═CR1R2,
CH2═C(R1)(COOR3), phenyl(meth)acrylate,
benzyl(meth)acrylate, and styrene, and are particularly preferably
CH2═CR1R2 and/or CH2═C(R1)(COOR3).

[0387]The content of alkali-soluble resin in the colored photosensitive
composition in the first embodiment is preferably from 1% by mass to 30%
by mass, more preferably from 1% by mass to 25% by mass, and particularly
preferably from 2% by mass to 20% by mass, relative to the total solids
content of the composition. The content of alkali-soluble resin in the
photocurable composition of the second embodiment is preferably from 0 to
15% by mass, more preferably from 1 to 12% by mass, and particularly
preferably from 1 to 10% by mass, relative to the total solids content of
the composition.

[0388][Solvent]

[0389]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment can
be suitably prepared generally using a solvent together with the
components described above.

[0398]A sensitizing dye may be added, if necessary, to the colored
photosensitive composition of the first embodiment. Also in the second
embodiment, it is preferable to add a sensitizing dye, as necessary. The
following descriptions of sensitizing dye are common to all aspects of
the invention, including the first and the second embodiments. The
sensitizing dye is capable of promoting a radical generating reaction of
the photopolymerization initiator or a polymerization reaction of the
photopolymerizable compound caused by the photopolymerization initiator,
when exposed to light having a wavelength that the sensitizing dye can
absorb.

[0399]Examples of the sensitizing dye include known spectral sensitizing
pigments or dyes, and dyes or pigments which absorbs light to interact
with the photopolymerization initiator.

[0400](Spectral Sensitizing Pigment or Dye)

[0401]Examples of spectral sensitizing pigments or dyes that are
preferable for use as sensitizing dyes in the invention include:
polynuclear aromatics (such as pyrene, perylene, and triphenylene);
xanthenes (such as fluorescein, eosin, erythrosin, rhodamine B, and rose
bengal); cyanines (such as thiacarbocyanine and oxacarbocyanine);
merocyanines (such as merocyanine, and carbomerocyanine); thiazines (such
as thionine, methylene blue, and toluidine blue); acridines (such as
acridine orange, chloroflavin, and acriflavine); phthalocyanines (such as
phthalocyanine and metal phthalocyanines); porphyrins (such as
tetraphenylporphyrin and central metal-substituted porphyrins);
chlorophylls (such as chlorophyll, chlorophyllin, and central
metal-substituted chlorophyll); metal complexes (such as the following
compounds); and anthraquinones (such as anthraquinone); squaryliums (such
as squarylium).

[0403](Dyes having Absorption Maximum Wavelength at from 350 nm to 450 nm)

[0404]Examples of other preferable embodiments of the sensitizing dye
include dyes belonging to the following groups of compounds and having an
absorption maximum wavelength in the range of from 350 nm to 450 nm.

[0406]More preferable examples of the sensitizing dye include compounds
represented by the following Formulae (XIV) to (XVIII).

##STR00021##

[0407](In Formula (XIV), A1 represents a sulfur atom or
--NR60--; R6° represents an alkyl group or an aryl
group; L01 represents a nonmetallic atom group which, together with
A1 and the carbon atom that are adjacent to L01, forms a basic
nucleus of a dye; R61 and R62 each independently represent a
hydrogen atom or a monovalent nonmetallic atom group; and R61 and
R62 may be bonded to each other to form an acidic nucleus of a dye.
W represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.)

[0409](In Formula (XV), Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represent
an aryl group, and Ar1 and Ar2 are connected to each other via
-L02-. -L02- represents --O-- or --S--. W has the same
definition as in Formula (XIV)).

[0411](In Formula (XVI), A2 represents a sulfur atom or
--NR69--; L03 represents a nonmetallic atom group which,
together with A2 and the carbon atom that are adjacent to L93,
forms a basic nucleus of a dye; R63, R64, R65, R66,
R67, and R68 each independently represent a monovalent
nonmetallic atom group; and R69 represents an alkyl group or an aryl
group).

[0413](In Formula (XVII), A3 and A4 each independently represent
--S-- or --NR73--; R73 represents a substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
L04 and L05 each independently represent a nonmetallic atom
group which, together with A3 or A4 and the carbon atom that
are adjacent to L04 or L05, forms a basic nucleus of a dye;
R71 and R72 each independently represent a monovalent
nonmetallic atom group; and R71 and R72 may be bonded to each
other to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring.)

[0415]Preferable examples of the sensitizing dye used in the invention
include those represented by the following formula (XVIII).

##STR00026##

[0416]In Formula (XVIII), A5 represents an aromatic ring or a
heterocycle, each of which may have a substituent; X represents an oxygen
atom, a sulfur atom, or --N(R74)--; Y represents an oxygen atom, a
sulfur atom, or ═N(R74); R74, R75, and R76 each
independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent nonmetallic atom
group; A5 and R74 may be bonded to each other to form an
aliphatic or aromatic ring; A5 and R75 may be bonded to each
other to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring; and A5 and R76 may
be combined respectively with each other to form an aliphatic or aromatic
ring.

[0417]Here, when any of R74, R75, or R76 represents a
monovalent nonmetallic atom group, the monovalent nonmetallic atom group
is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted
or unsubstituted aryl group.

[0418]Next, specific preferable examples of R74, R75, and
R76 are described below. Preferable examples of the alkyl group
include C1-C20 linear alkyl groups, C1-C20 branched alkyl groups, and
C1-C20 cyclic alkyl groups. Specific examples thereof include a methyl
group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, a
hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a nonyl group, a decyl
group, an undecyl group, a dodecyl group, a tridecyl group, a hexadecyl
group, an octadecyl group, an eicosyl group, an isopropyl group, an
isobutyl group, a s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an isopentyl group, a
neopentyl group, a 1-methylbutyl group, an isohexyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl
group, a 2-methylhexyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentyl group,
and a 2-norbornyl group. Among them, linear alkyl groups having from 1 to
12 carbon atoms, branched alkyl groups having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms,
and cyclic alkyl groups having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms are more
preferable.

[0419]A substituent of the substituted alkyl group may be a monovalent
nonmetallic atom group other than hydrogen. Preferable examples thereof
include a halogen atom (--F, --Br, --Cl, --I), a hydroxyl group, an
alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, an
arylthio group, an alkyldithio group, an aryldithio group, an amino
group, an N-alkylamino group, an N,N-dialkylamino group, an N-arylamino
group, an N,N-diarylamino group, an N-alkyl-N-arylamino group, an acyloxy
group, a carbamoyloxy group, an N-alkylcarbamoyloxy group, an
N-arylcarbamoyloxy group, an N,N-dialkylcarbamoyloxy group, an
N,N-diarylcarbamoyloxy group, an N-alkyl-N-arylcarbamoyloxy group, an
alkylsulfoxy group, an arylsulfoxy group, an acyloxy group, an acylthio
group, an acylamino group, an N-alkylacylamino group, an N-arylacylamino
group, a ureido group, an N-alkylureido group, an N,N-dialkylureido
group, an N-arylureido group, an N,N-diarylureido group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylureido group, an N-alkylureido group, an N-arylureido
group, an N-alkyl-N-alkylureido group, an N-alkyl-N-arylureido group, an
N,N-dialkyl-N-alkylureido group, an N,N-dialkyl-N-arylureido group, an
N-aryl-N-alkylureido group, an N-aryl-N-arylureido group, an
N,N-diaryl-N-alkylureido group, an N,N-diaryl-N-arylureido group, an
N-alkyl-N-aryl-N-alkylureido group, an N-alkyl-N-aryl-N-arylureido group,
an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, an
N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarbonylamino group, an N-alkyl-N-aryloxycarbonylamino
group, an N-aryl-N-alkoxycarbonylamino group, an
N-aryl-N-aryloxycarbonylamino group, a formyl group, an acyl group, a
carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a
carbamoyl group, an N-alkylcarbamoyl group, an N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl
group, an N-arylcarbamoyl group, an N,N-diarylcarbamoyl group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylcarbamoyl group, an alkylsulfinyl group, an arylsulfinyl
group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a sulfo group
(-503H) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter referred to
as a sulfonato group), an alkoxysulfonyl group, an aryloxysulfonyl group,
a sulfinamoyl group, an N-alkylsulfinamoyl group, an
N,N-dialkylsulfinamoyl group, an N-arylsulfinamoyl group, an
N,N-diarylsulfinamoyl group, an N-alkyl-N-arylsulfinamoyl group, a
sulfamoyl group, an N-alkylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl
group, an N-arylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-diarylsulfamoyl group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamoyl group, a phosphono group (--PO3H2) and
a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter referred to as a phosphonato
group), a dialkylphosphono group (--PO3(alkyl)2), a
diarylphosphono group (--PO3(aryl)2), an alkylarylphosphono
group (--PO3(alkyl)(aryl)), a monoalkylphosphono group
(--PO3H(alkyl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an alkylphosphonato group), a monoarylphosphono group
(--PO3H(aryl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an arylphosphonato group), a phosphonooxy group
(--OPO3H2) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as a phosphonatooxy group), a dialkylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(alkyl)2), a diarylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(aryl)2), an alkylarylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3(alkyl)(aryl)), a monoalkylphosphonooxy group
(--OPO3H(alkyl)) and a conjugate base group thereof (hereinafter
referred to as an alkylphosphonatooxy group), a monoarylphosphonooxy
group (--OPO3H(aryl)) and a conjugate base group thereof
(hereinafter referred to as an arylphosphonatooxy group), a cyano group,
a nitro group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, an alkenyl group, an
alkynyl group, and a silyl group.

[0420]Specific examples of alkyl groups in these substituents include the
alkyl groups described above, which may have a further substituent.

[0421]Specific examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a
biphenyl group, a naphthyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a mesityl
group, a cumenyl group, a chlorophenyl group, a bromophenyl group, a
chloromethylphenyl group, a hydroxyphenyl group, a methoxyphenyl group,
an ethoxyphenyl group, a phenoxyphenyl group, an acetoxyphenyl group, a
benzoyloxyphenyl group, a methylthiophenyl group, a phenylthiophenyl
group, a methylaminophenyl group, a dimethylaminophenyl group, an
acetylaminophenyl group, a carboxyphenyl group, a methoxycarbonylphenyl
group, an ethoxyphenylcarbonyl group, a phenoxycarbonylphenyl group, an
N-phenylcarbamoylphenyl group, a phenyl group, a cyanophenyl group, a
sulfophenyl group, a sulfonatophenyl group, a phosphonophenyl group, and
a phosphonatophenyl group.

[0422]A group derived from a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic ring
containing at least one nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom may be used as
the heteroaryl group. Particularly preferable examples of the heteroaryl
ring in the heteroaryl group include thiophene, thianthrene, furan,
pyran, isobenzofuran, chromene, xanthene, phenoxazine, pyrrole, pyrazole,
isothiazole, isoxazole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine,
isoindolizine, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline,
phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole,
carboline, phenanthrene, acridine, perimidine, phenanthroline,
phthalazine, phenarsazine, phenoxazine, furazan, and phenoxazine, each of
which may be further condensed with a benzene ring, and each of which may
have a substituent.

[0423]Examples of the alkenyl group include a vinyl group, a 1-propenyl
group, a 1-butenyl group, a cinnamyl group, and a 2-chloro-1-ethenyl
group. Examples of the alkynyl group include an ethynyl group, a
1-propynyl group, a 1-butynyl group, and a trimethylsilylethynyl group.
Examples of G1 in the acyl group (G1CO--) include a hydrogen
atom, and the alkyl groups and the aryl groups described above. Among
these substituents, more preferable examples include a halogen atom (--F,
--Br, --Cl, and --I), an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio
group, an arylthio group, an N-alkylamino group, an N,N-dialkyl amino
group, an acyloxy group, an N-alkylcarbamoyloxy group, an
N-arylcarbamoyloxy group, an acylamino group, a formyl group, an acyl
group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl
group, a carbamoyl group, an N-alkylcarbamoyl group, an
N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl group, an N-arylcarbamoyl group, an
N-alkyl-N-arylcarbamoyl group, a sulfo group, a sulfonato group, a
sulfamoyl group, an N-alkylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl
group, an N-arylsulfamoyl group, an N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamoyl group, a
phosphono group, a phosphonato group, a dialkylphosphono group, a
diarylphosphono group, a monoalkylphosphono group, an alkylphosphonato
group, a monoarylphosphono group, an arylphosphonato group, a
phosphonooxy group, a phosphonatooxy group, an aryl group, an alkenyl
group, and an alkylidene group (e.g. a methylene group).

[0424]Examples of the alkylene group in the substituted alkyl group
include a divalent organic residue obtained by removing any one of the
hydrogen atoms of any one of the C1-C20 alkyl groups described above.
Preferable examples thereof include a C1-C12 linear alkylene group, a
C3-C12 branched alkylene group, and a C5-C10 cyclic alkylene group.

[0425]Specific examples of substituted alkyl groups that are preferable as
R74, R75, or R76, and that are obtained by combining the
substituent with an alkylene group, include a chloromethyl group, a
bromomethyl group, a 2-chloroethyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a
methoxymethyl group, a methoxyethoxyethyl group, an allyloxymethyl group,
a phenoxymethyl group, a methylthiomethyl group, a tolylthiomethyl group,
an ethylaminoethyl group, a diethylaminopropyl group, a morpholinopropyl
group, an acetyloxymethyl group, a benzoyloxymethyl group, an
N-cyclohexylcarbamoyloxyethyl group, an N-phenylcarbamoyloxyethyl group,
an acetylaminoethyl group, an N-methylbenzoylaminopropyl group, a
2-oxoethyl group, a 2-oxopropyl group, a carboxypropyl group, a
methoxycarbonylethyl group, an allyloxycarbonylbutyl group, a
chlorophenoxycarbonylmethyl group, a carbamoylmethyl group, an
N-methylcarbamoylethyl group, an N,N-dipropylcarbamoylmethyl group, an
N-(methoxyphenyl)carbamoylethyl group, an
N-methyl-N-(sulfophenyl)carbamoylmethyl group, a sulfobutyl group, a
sulfonatopropyl group, a sulfonatobutyl group, a sulfamoylbutyl group, an
N-ethylsulfamoylmethyl group, an N,N-dipropylsulfamoylpropyl group, an
N-tolylsulfamoylpropyl group, an
N-methyl-N-(phosphonophenyl)sulfamoyloctyl group, a phosphonobutyl group,
a phosphonatohexyl group, a diethylphosphonobutyl group, a
diphenylphosphonopropyl group, a methylphosphonobutyl group, a
methylphosphonatebutyl group, a tolylphosphonohexyl group, a
tolylphosphonatohexyl group, a phosphonooxypropyl group, a
phosphonatooxybutyl group, an benzyl group, an phenethyl group, an
α-methylbenzyl group, a 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl group, a
p-methylbenzyl group, a cinnamyl group, an allyl group, a
1-propenylmethyl group, a 2-butenyl group, a 2-methylallyl group, a
2-methylpropenylmethyl group, a 2-propynyl group, a 2-butynyl group, and
a 3-butynyl group.

[0426]Preferable specific examples of the aryl group as R74, R75
or R76 include a condensed ring formed from 1 to 3 benzene rings,
and a condensed ring formed from at least one benzene ring and at least
one 5-membered unsaturated ring. Specific examples thereof include a
phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a phenanthryl group, an
indenyl group, an acenaphthenyl group, and a fluorenyl group. Among these
groups, a phenyl group or a naphthyl group are more preferable.

[0427]Preferable specific examples of the substituted aryl group as
R74, R75, or R76 include a group in which a monovalent
nonmetallic atom group (other than a hydrogen atom) is present as a
substituent on a carbon atom contained in a ring of any of the above aryl
groups. Preferable examples of the substituent include the alkyl groups
described above, the substituted alkyl groups described above, and the
above-described examples of substituents in the substituted alkyl groups.
Preferable specific examples of the substituted aryl group include a
biphenyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a mesityl group, a cumenyl
group, a chlorophenyl group, a bromophenyl group, an fluorophenyl group,
a chloromethylphenyl group, a trifluoromethylphenyl group, a
hydroxyphenyl group, a methoxyphenyl group, a methoxyethoxyphenyl group,
an allyloxyphenyl group, a phenoxyphenyl group, a methylthiophenyl group,
a tolylthiophenyl group, an ethylaminophenyl group, a diethylaminophenyl
group, an morpholinophenyl group, an acetyloxyphenyl group, a
benzoyloxyphenyl group, an N-cyclohexylcarbamoyloxyphenyl group, an
N-phenylcarbamoyloxyphenyl group, an acetylaminophenyl group, an
N-methylbenzoylaminophenyl group, a carboxyphenyl group, a
methoxycarbonylphenyl group, an allyloxycarbonylphenyl group, a
chlorophenoxycarbonylphenyl group, a carbamoylphenyl group, an
N-methylcarbamoylphenyl group, an N,N-dipropylcarbamoylphenyl group, an
N-(methoxyphenyl)carbamoylphenyl group, an
N-methyl-N-(sulfophenyl)carbamoylphenyl group, a sulfophenyl group, a
sulfonatophenyl group, a sulfamoylphenyl group, an N-ethylsulfamoylphenyl
group, an N,N-dipropylsulfamoylphenyl group, an N-tolylsulfamoylphenyl
group, an N-methyl-N-(phosphonophenyl)sulfamoylphenyl group, a
phosphonophenyl group, a phosphonatophenyl group, a
diethylphosphonophenyl group, a diphenylphosphonophenyl group, a
methylphosphonophenyl group, a methylphosphonatophenyl group, a
tolylphosphonophenyl group, a tolylphosphonatophenyl group, an
allylphenyl group, a 1-propenylmethylphenyl group, a 2-butenylphenyl
group, a 2-methylallylphenyl group, a 2-methylpropenylphenyl group, a
2-propynylphenyl group, a 2-butynylphenyl group, and a 3-butynylphenyl
group.

[0428]More preferable examples of R75 and R76 include a
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. More preferable examples of
R74 include a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. The reason
for this is not clear, but is presumed to be as follows: a substituent of
this kind particularly strengthen the interaction between an electron
excited state generated by light absorption and an initiator compound,
thereby improving the efficiency of radical, acid, or base generation by
the initiator compound.

[0429]Next, A5 in Formula (XVIII) is described below. A5
represents an aromatic ring or heterocycle, each of which may have a
substituent. Specific examples of the aromatic ring or heterocycle
include the above examples described in the description of R74,
R75 or R76 in Formula (XVIII).

[0430]Among them, preferable examples of A5 include an aryl group
having an alkoxy group, a thioalkyl group, or an amino group, and
particularly preferable examples of A5 include an aryl group having
an amino group.

[0431]Next, Y in Formula (XVIII) is described. Y represents a nonmetallic
atom or nonmetallic atomic group that is directly bonded to the
nitrogen-containing heterocycle in Formula (XVIII) by a double bind, and
represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or ═N(R74).

[0432]X in Formula (XVIII) represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or
--N(R74)--.

[0433]Next, a compound represented by the following formula (XVIII-1),
which is a preferable embodiment of the compound represented by Formula
(XVIII) used in the invention, is described.

##STR00027##

[0434]In Formula (XVIII-1), A5 represents a aromatic ring or a
heterocycle, each of which may have a substituent; X represents an oxygen
atom, a sulfur atom, or --N(R74)--; R74, R77 and R78
each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent nonmetallic
atom group; A5 and R74 may be bonded to each other to form an
aliphatic or aromatic ring; A5 and R77 may be bonded to each
other to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring; A5 and R78 may be
bonded to each other to form an aliphatic or aromatic ring; Ar represents
an aromatic ring or a heterocycle, each of which has a substituent. The
sum total of the Hammett's values of the substituents on the Ar skeleton
needs to be greater than 0. The "sum total of Hammett's values is larger
than 0" as used herein encompasses both of a case in which one
substituent is present and the Hammett's value of the substituent is
larger than 0 and a case in which plural substituents are present and the
sum total of the Hammett's values of the substituents is larger than 0.

[0435]In Formula (XVIII-1), A5 and R74 respectively have the
same definitions as in Formula (XVIII), R77 has the same definition
as R75 in Formula (XVIII), and R78 has the same definition as
R76 in Formula (XVIII). Ar represents an aromatic ring or a
heterocycle, each of which has a substituent, and has the same definition
as A5 in Formula (XVIII).

[0436]However, the total sum of the Hammett's values of the substituents
to be introduced into Ar in Formula (XVIII-1) needs to be 0 or greater.
Examples of such substituents include a trifluoromethyl group, a carbonyl
group, an ester group, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a
sulfoxide group, an amido group, and a carboxyl group. The Hammett's
value of these substituents are as follows: trifluoromethyl group
(--CF3, m: 0.43, p: 0.54); carbonyl group (e.g. --COH, m: 0.36, p:
0.43); ester group (--COOCH3, m: 0.37, p: 0.45); halogen atom (e.g.
Cl, m: 0.37, p: 0.23); cyano group (--CN, m: 0.56, p: 0.66); sulfoxide
group (e.g. --SOCH3, m: 0.52, p: 0.45); amido group (e.g.
--NHCOCH3, m: 0.21, p: 0.00); and carboxyl group (--COOH, m: 0.37,
p: 0.45). The site of the substituent in the aryl skeleton and the
Hammett's value of the substituent are listed inside the parentheses, and
(m: 0.50) means that the Hammett's value of the substituent when
introduced at a meta position is 0.50. Preferable examples of Ar include
a phenyl group having a substituent, and preferable examples of a
substituent on the Ar skeleton include an ester group and a cyano group.
In regard to the substitution position, the substituent is particularly
preferably located at an ortho position on the Ar skeleton.

[0437]Specific preferable examples [exemplary compounds (F-16) to (F-71)]
of the sensitizing dyes represented by Formula (XVIII) according to the
invention are shown inbelow. However, the invention is not limited
thereto.

[0438]Among sensitizing dyes applicable to the invention, compounds
represented by Formula (XVIII) are preferable from the viewpoint of
curability of deep portions.

[0439]Various chemical modifications, such as those described below, may
be performed on the sensitizing dye in order to improve the
characteristics of the colored photosensitive composition of the
invention. For example, bonding of the sensitizing dye to an
addition-polymerizable compound structure (such as an acryloyl group or a
methacryloyl group) by a method such as a covalent bond, an ionic bond,
or a hydrogen bond improves the strength of the crosslinked cured film
and enhanced suppression of unnecessary precipitation of the dye from the
crosslinked cured film.

[0440]The content of sensitizing dye is preferably from 0.01% by mass to
20% by mass, more preferably from 0.01% by mass to 10% by mass, and
further preferably from 0.1% by mass to 5% by mass, relative to the total
solids content of the colored photosensitive composition.

[0441]A content of sensitizing dye within the above range is preferable in
terms of high sensitivity to the exposure wavelengths of an ultrahigh
pressure mercury lamp, provision of curability of deep portions of the
layer, development margin, and pattern formation properties.

[0442](Epoxy Resin)

[0443]In the colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment,
an epoxy resin may be used as a thermally-polymerizable component in
order to increase the strength of a formed coating film.

[0444]Examples of the epoxy resin include a compound having two or more
epoxy rings in a molecule thereof, such as a bisphenol-A epoxy resin, a
cresol novolac epoxy resin, a biphenyl epoxy resin, or an alicyclic epoxy
resin.

[0447]Other examples of epoxy resins that can be used include
1,1,2,2-tetrakis(p-glycidyloxyphenyl)ethane,
tris(p-glycidyloxyphenyl)methane, triglycidyl
tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, diglycidyl o-phthalate, diglycidyl
terephthalate, as well as EPOTOHTO YH-434 and YH-434L, both of which are
amine-type epoxy resins, and glycidyl esters in which the skeleton of a
bisphenol-A epoxy resin is modified with a dimer acid.

[0448]Among them, the ratio of (molecular weight)/(number of epoxy rings)
is preferably 100 or higher, and more preferably from 130 to 500. If the
ratio of (molecular weight)/(number of epoxy rings) is small, curability
is high, and contraction during curing is large. If the ratio is
excessively high, curability is insufficient, which leads to reduced
reliability or deterioration in flatness.

[0451]Inclusion of a fluoroorganic compound in the colored photosensitive
composition of the first embodiment or the photocurable composition of
the second embodiment improves liquid characteristics (in particular
flowability) of a coating liquid formed therefrom, and improves the
coating thickness uniformity and liquid saving properties.

[0452]Namely, the colored photosensitive composition a fluoroorganic
compound or the photocurable composition containing a fluoroorganic
compound is effective in that it exhibits reduced surface tension between
a surface to be coated and the coating liquid, thus improves wettability
with respect to the coated surface and the coating properties on the
surface to be coated, thereby enabling formation of a film having uniform
thickness with reduced thickness unevenness even when a thin film having
a thickness of a few micrometers is formed using a small amount of
liquid.

[0453]The fluorine content of the fluoroorganic compound is preferably
from 3% by mass to 40% by mass, more preferably from 5% by mass to 30% by
mass, and particularly preferably from 7% by mass to 25% by mass. A
fluorine content within the above range is effective in terms of coating
thickness uniformity and liquid saving properties, and exhibits a
favorable solubility in the composition.

[0455]The fluoroorganic compound is particularly effective for prevention
of coating unevenness or thickness unevenness in the case of forming a
thin coating film using the colored photosensitive composition of the
first embodiment. The fluoroorganic compound is also effective in the
case of applying the colored photosensitive composition of the first
embodiment to a slit coating, in which liquid shortage tends to occur.

[0456]The addition amount of the fluoroorganic compound is preferably from
0.001% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and more preferably from 0.005% by mass
to 1.0% by mass, relative to the total mass of the colored photosensitive
composition.

[0458]The fluoroorganic compound is particularly effective for prevention
of coating unevenness or thickness unevenness in a case in which the
coating film is thin. The fluoroorganic compound is also effective in the
case of slit coating, in which liquid shortage tends to occur.

[0459]The addition amount of the fluoroorganic compound is preferably from
0.001 to 2.0% by mass, and more preferably from 0.005 to 1.0% by mass,
relative to the total mass of the photocurable composition.

[0460](Thermal Polymerization Initiator)

[0461]It is effective that the colored photosensitive composition of the
first embodiment or the photocurable composition of the second embodiment
includes a thermal polymerization initiator.

[0462]Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator include various azo
compounds and peroxide compounds.

[0463]Examples of the azo compounds include azobis compounds, and examples
of the peroxide compounds include ketone peroxide, peroxyketal,
hydroperoxide, dialkyl peroxide, diacyl peroxide, peroxyester, and
peroxydicarbonate.

[0464](Surfactant)

[0465]Various surfactants may be incorporated into the colored
photosensitive composition of the first embodiment in order to improve
coating properties. Examples of surfactants that can be used include,
besides the fluorosurfactants described above, various nonionic
surfactants, cationic surfactants, and anionic surfactants.

[0466]Among these, fluorosurfactants which have a perfluoroalkyl group and
which are nonionic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants are preferable.

[0473]In order to enhance alkali-solubility of uncured portions and
further improve the developability of the colored photosensitive
composition, it is preferable to incorporate an organic carboxylic acid,
preferably a low-molecular organic carboxylic acid having a molecular
weight of 1,000 or less, into the colored photosensitive composition of
the first embodiment.

[0475]A thermal-polymerization inhibitor may be incorporated into the
colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment. Examples of
compounds that are useful as thermal-polymerization inhibitor include
hydroquinone, p-methoxyphenol, di-t-butyl-p-cresol, pyrogallol,
t-butylcatechol, benzoquinone, 4,4'-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol),
2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole.

[0476]The colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment can
be prepared by adding a photopolymerizable compound, a
photopolymerization initiator, and, optionally, additives (such as
alkali-soluble resins, solvents, and surfactants) to the
pigment-dispersed composition of the first embodiment described above.

[0477]Since the colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment
includes the pigment-dispersed composition containing the processed
pigment of the invention, the colored photosensitive comosition exhibits
excellent dispersibility of the processed pigment, and excellent color
properties.

[0478]For this reason, it is preferable that the composition is used to
form a colored region of a color filter which is required to have
superior color properties.

[0479]<Color Filter>

[0480]The color filter of the first embodiment has a colored region formed
from the colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment on a
substrate.

[0481]Here, the scope of colored region includes both of a three-color or
four-color colored pattern (pixel portion), and a black matrix.

[0482]The color filter of the first embodiment is described below in
detail by reference to a production method thereof.

[0483]The process for producing the color filter of the first embodiment
is described below.

[0484]First, the colored photosensitive composition of the first
embodiment is coated on a substrate directly or with at least one other
layer therebetween by a coating method such as spin coating, slit
coating, casting coating, roll coating, or bar coating, thereby forming a
coating film formed from the colored photosensitive composition (coating
process). Thereafter, the coating film is exposed to light through a
predetermined mask pattern (light exposure process). After exposure to
light, uncured portions of the coating film are removed by development
with a developer liquid (development process). Through these processes, a
colored pattern composed of pixels of respective colors (three colors or
four colors) is formed, thereby providing a color filter.

[0485]This method enables production of a high-quality color filter for
use in liquid crystal display devices or solid-state image pickup
devices, with little process-associated difficulty and at low cost. Each
process is described in detail below.

[0486][Coating Process]

[0487]First, the substrate used in the coating process is described.

[0488]Examples of substrates used in the color filter of the first
embodiment include: alkali-free glass, soda glass, PYREX (registered
trademark) glass, quartz glass, and materials obtained by attaching a
transparent conductive film to these glasses, which are used in liquid
crystal display devices and the like; photoelectric conversion device
substrates such as silicon substrates, which are used in solid-state
imaging devices; and plastic substrates.

[0489]A black matrix that separates the respective pixels may be formed on
the support, and/or a transparent resin layer may be formed on the
support in order to, for example, improve adhesion.

[0490]A surface of a plastic substrate is preferably provided with a gas
barrier layer and/or a solvent-resistance layer.

[0491]Further, a color filter may be produced by providing a substrate for
driving on which thin-film transistors (TFTs) for thin-film transistor
(TFT) color liquid crystal displays are disposed (hereinafter referred to
as "substrate for TFT liquid crystal driving"), and forming a colored
pattern by using the colored photosensitive composition of the first
embodiment on the substrate for driving.

[0492]Examples of the substrate of the "substrates for TFT liquid crystal
driving" include glass, silicone, polycarbonate, polyester, aromatic
polyamide, polyamidoimide, and polyimide. These substrates have been
optionally subjected to appropriate pretreatment such as chemical
treatment with, for example, a silane coupling agent, plasma treatment,
ion plating, sputtering, vapor phase reaction, vacuum deposition. For
example, a substrate obtained by forming a passivation film, such as a
silicon nitride film, on a surface of the substrate for TFT liquid
crystal driving may be used.

[0493]The method whereby the colored photosensitive composition of the
first embodiment is coated on a substrate employed in the coating process
is not particularly limited, but a method using a slit nozzle
(hereinafter referred to as "slit nozzle coating method") such as a
slit-and-spin method or a spinless coating method is preferable.

[0494]Among slit nozzle coating methods, the conditions of the
slit-and-spin coating method and the spinless coating method may vary
with the size of the substrate on which coating is to be performed. For
example, in the case of coating on a fifth-generation glass substrate
(1,100 mm×1,250 mm) by a spinless coating method, the amount of the
colored photosensitive composition ejected from the slit nozzle is
usually from 500 to 2,000 microliters/second, and preferably from 800 to
1,500 microliters/second, and the coating speed is usually from 50 to 300
mm/second, and preferably from 100 to 200 mm/second.

[0495]The solids content of the colored photosensitive composition used in
the coating process is usually from 10% to 20%, and preferably from 13%
to 18%.

[0496]In the case of forming a coating film from the colored
photosensitive composition of the first embodiment on a substrate, the
thickness of the coating film (after prebaking treatment) is generally
from 0.3 to 5.0 μm, desirably from 0.5 to 4.0 μm, and most
desirably from 0.5 to 3.0 μm.

[0497]In the case of a color filter for a solid-state image pickup device,
the thickness of the coating film (after prebaking treatment) is
preferably within the range of from 0.5 to 5.0 μm.

[0498]In the coating process, prebaking treatment is usually preformed
after coating. Vacuum treatment may be performed before prebaking, if
necessary.

[0499]The conditions of the vacuum drying may be such that the degree of
vacuum is usually from 0.1 to 1.0 torr, and is preferably approximately
from 0.2 to 0.5 torr.

[0500]The prebaking treatment may be performed using a hot plate, an oven,
or the like, at a temperature range of from 50 to 140° C.,
preferably about 70 to 110° C., for from 10 to 300 seconds.

[0501]High-frequency treatment or the like may be used in combination with
the prebaking treatment. High-frequency treatment may alternatively be
used alone.

[0502][Light Exposure Process]

[0503]In the light exposure process, the coating film from the colored
photosensitive composition as described above is exposed to light through
a predetermined mask pattern.

[0504]The radiation used in the light exposure is particularly preferably
ultraviolet light such as g-line, h-line, i-line, or j-line.

[0505]In the case of producing a color filter for a liquid crystal
display, light exposure using mainly h-line or i-line is preferably
employed by using a proximity light-exposure machine or a mirror
projection light-exposure machine.

[0506]In the case of producing a color filter for a solid-state image
pickup device, light exposure using mainly i-line is preferably performed
by using a stepper light exposure machine.

[0507]In producing a color filter using a substrate for TFT method liquid
crystal driving, the photomask used therefor is provided with a pattern
for forming a through hole or a U-shaped depression as well as a pattern
for forming pixels (colored pattern).

[0508][Development Process]

[0509]In the development process, uncured portions of the coating film
after light exposure are dissolved in a developer liquid, thereby leaving
only cured portions on the substrate. The development temperature is
usually from 20° C. to 30° C., and the development time is
usually from 20 to 90 seconds.

[0510]The developer liquid may be any developer that dissolves uncured
portions of the coating film of the colored photosensitive composition,
but does not dissolve cured portions.

[0511]Specifically, various combinations of organic solvents, and alkaline
aqueous solutions may be used.

[0512]Examples of the organic solvents used in the development include the
above-described solvents that can be used in the preparation of the
colored photosensitive composition of the first embodiment.

[0514]A water-soluble organic solvent such as methanol or ethanol, a
surfactant, or the like may be added in an appropriate amount into the
alkaline aqueous solution.

[0515]The development method may be any method such as a dip method, a
shower method, or a spray method, and a swing method, a spin method, a
ultrasonic method or the like may be combined therewith. The face to be
developed may be moistened with water or the like before contacting a
developer liquid, so as to prevent development unevenness. The
development may be conducted while the substrate is inclined.

[0516]Puddle development may be employed in the case of producing a color
filter for a solid-state imaging device.

[0517]After the development treatment, a rinse process whereby excess
developer liquid is removed by washing is conducted, and drying is
performed, and, thereafter, heating treatment (postbaking) is conducted
so as to perfect the curing.

[0518]The rinse process is conducted usually with pure water. However, it
is permissible to use pure water at final washing but use used pure water
at initial stages of washing for saving liquid. It is also permissible to
perform washing while the substrate is inclined. Ultrasonic wave
irradiation may be employed additionally.

[0519]After the rinse process, draining and drying are performed.
Thereafter, heating treatment at, usually, from about 200° C. to
about 250° C. is performed.

[0520]The heating treatment (postbaking) may be conducted on the coating
film after development, in a continuous manner or batch manner using a
heating means such as a hot plate, a convection oven (hot air circulation
dryer) or a high-frequency heating apparatus such that the above
conditions are satisfied.

[0521]A color filter formed by colored cured films (colored patterns) of
plural colors can be produced by sequentially repeating the above
operations for each color in accordance with the desired number of hues.

[0522]Since the color filter of the first embodiment has high contrast,
small color concentration unevenness, and superior color properties, the
color filter can be suitably used in solid-state image pickup devices or
liquid crystal display devices.

[0523]Although an application to a colored pattern of a color filter is
mainly described as an application of the colored photosensitive
composition of the first embodiment, the colored photosensitive
composition is also applicable to formation of a black matrix that
separates colored patterns (pixels) of a color filter.

[0524]A black matrix can be formed on a substrate by carrying out the
processes of coating, light exposure, and development using the colored
photosensitive composition containing a processed pigment of a black
pigment such as carbon black or titanium black, and thereafter optionally
conducting post-baking

[0526]The liquid crystal display device and the solid-state image pickup
device of the first embodiment have the color filter of the first
embodiment. More specifically, a panel that is a liquid crystal display
device of the first embodiment is obtained by, for example, forming an
orientation film on the inner side of the color filter, arranging the
orientation fil to face an electrode substrate, filling a liquid crystal
into a gap portion, and sealing the resultant. The solid-state image
pickup device of the first embodiment is obtained by, for example,
forming a color filter on a light receiving device.

Other Components in the Second Embodiment

[0527]The photocurable composition of the second embodiment may include
various additives as necessary, such as a chain transfer agent, a
fluoroorganic compound, a thermal polymerization initiator, a
thermally-polymerizable component, a thermal polymerization inhibitor,
other fillers, high-molecular compounds other than the alkali-soluble
resins, a surfactant, an adhesion promoter, an antioxidant, an
ultraviolet absorber, and an aggregation inhibitor.

[0528]<Chain Transfer Agent>

[0529]Examples of the chain transfer agent that may be added to the
photocurable composition of the second embodiment include alkyl esters of
N,N-dialkylaminobenzoic acid such as N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid ethyl
ester, mercapto compounds that contain a heterocycle such as
2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2-mercaptobenzoxazole, and
2-mercaptobenzimidazole, and aliphatic polyfunctional mercapto compounds.

[0530]The chain transfer agents may be used singly, or in combination of
two or more thereof.

[0531]<Thermally-Polymerizable Component>

[0532]It is also effective that the photocurable composition of the second
embodiment includes a thermally-polymerizable component. An epoxy
compound may be incorporated if necessary, in order to increase the
strength of the coating film. Examples of the epoxy compound include a
compound having two or more epoxy rings in a molecule thereof, such as a
bisphenol-A epoxy compound, a cresol novolac epoxy compound, a biphenyl
epoxy compound, and an alicyclic epoxy compound. Examples of the
bisphenol-A epoxy compound include EPOTOHTO YD-115, YD-118T, YD-127,
YD-128, YD-134, YD-8125, YD-7011R, ZX-1059, YDF-8170, and YDF-170
(manufactured by Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd.), DENACOL EX-1101, EX-1102, and
EX-1103 (manufactured by Nagase Kasei Co., Ltd.), and PRAXEL GL-61,
GL-62, G101, and G102 (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.),
and bisphenol-F epoxy compounds and bisphenol-S epoxy compounds which are
similar to the above products. Epoxy acrylates such as EBECRYL 3700,
EBECRYL 3701, and EBECRYL 600 (manufactured by Daicel UCB Ltd.) are also
usable. Examples of the cresol novolac epoxy compound include EPOTOHTO
YDPN-638, YDPN-701, YDPN-702, YDPN-703, and YDPN-704 (manufactured by
Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd.), DENACOL EM-125 (manufactured by Nagase Kasei Co.,
Ltd.); and examples of the biphenyl epoxy compound include
3,5,3',5'-tetramethyl-4,4' diglycidyl biphenyl. Examples of the alicyclic
epoxy compound include CELLOXIDE 2021, CELLOXIDE 2081, CELLOXIDE 2083,
CELLOXIDE 2085, EPOLEAD GT-301, GT-302, GT-401, GT-403, and EHPE-3150
(manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and SUNTOHTO ST-3000,
ST-4000, ST-5080, ST-5100 (manufactured by Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd.). Other
examples of epoxy compounds that can be used include
1,1,2,2-tetrakis(p-glycidyloxyphenyl)ethane,
tris(p-glycidyloxyphenyl)methane, triglycidyl
tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, diglycidyl o-phthalate, diglycidyl
terephthalate, as well as EPOTOHTO YH-434 and YH-434L, both of which are
amine-type epoxy compounds, and glycidyl esters in which the skeleton of
a bisphenol-A epoxy resin is modified with a dimer acid.

[0533]<Surfactant>

[0534]Various surfactants may be incorporated into the photocurable
composition of the second embodiment in order to improve coating
properties. Examples of surfactants that can be used include, besides the
fluorosurfactants described above, various nonionic surfactants, cationic
surfactants, and anionic surfactants. Among these, the fluorosurfactants
described above, and nonionic surfactants are preferable.

[0536]Besides those described above, various additives may be added to the
photocurable composition. Specific examples of additives include:
ultraviolet absorbers such as
2-(3-t-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole and
alkoxybenzophenone; aggregation inhibitors such as sodium polyacrylate;
fillers such as glass and alumina; alkali-soluble resins such as itaconic
acid copolymers, crotonic acid copolymers, maleic acid copolymers,
partially esterified maleic acid copolymers, acidic cellulose
derivatives, products formed from addition of an acid anhydride to a
polymer having a hydroxyl group, alcohol-soluble nylons, and phenoxy
resins formed from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin.

[0537]In order to enhance alkali-solubility of uncured portions and
further improve the developability of the pigment-dispersed composition,
it is preferable to incorporate an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a
low-molecular organic carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 1,000
or less, into the pigment-dispersed composition. Specific examples
thereof include those described above as examples of the low-molecular
organic carboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less to be
added in the first embodiment.

[0538]<Thermal Polymerization Inhibitor>

[0539]Besides those described above, a thermal polymerization inhibitor is
preferably added to the photocurable composition of the second
embodiment. Examples of useful thermal polymerization inhibitors include
hydroquinone, p-methoxyphenol, di-t-butyl-p-cresol, pyrogallol,
t-butylcatechol, benzoquinone, 4,4'-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol),
2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole.

[0540]Exemplary configurations of the second embodiment are described
below.

[0541]<1> A pigment-dispersed composition including (A) a graft
high-molecular polymer in which acrylic acid is copolymerized at a
proportion of from 5% by mass to 30% by mass in the main chain thereof,
(B) a pigment, and (C) an organic solvent.

[0542]<2> A pigment-dispersed composition as described in <1>,
wherein the (A) graft high-molecular polymer in which acrylic acid is
copolymerized at a proportion of from 5% by mass to 30% by mass in the
main chain thereof further includes a heterocyclic structure at a side
chain, and has a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 to
100,000.

[0543]<3> A pigment-dispersed composition as described in <1>
or <2> wherein the average primary particle diameter of the (B)
pigment is in the range of from 10 to 25 nm.

[0544]<4> A pigment-dispersed composition as described in any one of
<1> to <3> further including (D) a basic graft high-molecular
compound.

[0545]<5> A pigment-dispersed composition as described in any one of
<1> to <4> wherein the value by dividing the total mass of
the high-molecular compound contained in the pigment-dispersed
composition by the total mass of the (B) pigment and the (E) pigment
derivative is 0.55 or smaller.

[0546]<6> A photocurable composition including the pigment-dispersed
composition as described in any one of <1> to <5>, (F) a
polymerizable compound and (G) a photopolymerization initiator.

[0547]<7> A photocurable composition as described in <6>
wherein the concentration of the pigment is 35% by mass or higher.

[0548]<8> A color filter formed from the photocurable composition as
described in <6> or <7>.

[0549]<9> A liquid crystal display device in which the color filter
described in <8> is used.

[0550]<10> A solid-state image pickup device in which the color
filter described in <8> is used.

[0551]Disclosures of Japanese Application Nos. 2008-068337, 2008-219785,
and 2008-075656 are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Examples

[0552]The invention is more specifically described below by reference to
examples, but the invention is not limited to the following Examples as
long as the gist of the invention is retained. Hereinafter, "part(s)" and
the "%" are based on mass unless otherwise indicated.

Synthesis Example 1

Synthesis of Monomer (A-5)]

[0553]160.0 g of ε-caprolactone and 18.3 g of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol
were introduced into a 500 mL three-necked flask, and were dissolved by
agitating while blowing nitrogen thereinto. 0.1 g of monobutyl tin oxide
was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was heated to 100° C.
Eight hours later, disappearance of the raw materials was confirmed by
gas chromatography, and then the mixture was cooled to 80° C. 0.1
g of 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol was added thereto, and then 22.2 g of
2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate was added thereto. Five hours later,
disappearance of the raw materials was confirmed by 1H-NMR, and,
thereafter, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, as a result of
which 200 g of monomer (A-5) in the solid state was obtained. It was
confirmed that the product was monomer (A-5) by H NMR, IR and mass
analysis.

[0554]The obtained monomer (A-5) is shown above as a preferable specific
example of the monomer represented by Formula (i), (ii), or (i)-2.

[0555]In addition, monomers (A-1) to (A-4) and (A-6) to (A-23) were
synthesized by methods similar to the above.

Synthesis Example 2

Synthesis of Specific Polymer (P-5)]

[0556]37.5 g of the monomer (A-5), 5.0 g of the monomer M-11, 7.5 g of
methacrylic acid, 1.3 g of dodecyl mercaptan, and 116.7 g of
1-methoxy-2-propanol were introduced into a nitrogen-substituted
three-necked flask, and the contents of the flask were agitated with an
agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co. Ltd.),
and heated to 75° C. while blowing nitrogen into the flask. 0.3 g
of 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) ("V-65" manufactured by Wako
Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added thereto, and the resultant
mixture was agitated under heating at 75° C. for 2 hours. Two
hours later, 0.3 g of V-65 was further added thereto, and the resultant
mixture was agitated under heating for 3 hours, as a result of which a
30% solution of specific polymer (P-5) was obtained.

[0557]The weight average molecular weight of specific polymer (P-5)
obtained was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 18,000.

[0558]In addition, specific polymers (P-1) to (P-4), (P-6) to (P-30), and
comparative polymers (C-1) to (C-4) were synthesized in the same manner,
except that the monomers and the addition amounts thereof used in the
synthesis of specific polymer (P-5) were changed to the monomers and the
addition amounts shown in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

[0559]Table 1 and Table 2 below show the monomers and the addition amounts
thereof used in the synthesis of specific polymers (P-1) to (P-30) and
comparative polymers (C-1) to (C-4), and the weight average molecular
weights and acid values of the synthesized polymers.

[0560]Monomers M-11, M-1, M-6, M-14, M-31, and M-33 in Table 1 and Table 2
are shown above as preferable specific examples of the monomer
represented by Formula (1), the maleimide, and the maleimide derivative.

[0561]Monomers B-1 to B-3 in Table 2 are those shown below.

B1: Polymethyl methacrylate of which terminal is methacryloylated (number
average molecular weight: 6000)

##STR00036##

Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2]

[0562]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0563]The components of the composition (1) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0565]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours using a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.2 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was further
subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and
a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine
equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured
by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.); this dispersing treatment was repeated ten
times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0566]<Evaluation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0567]Evaluations (1) to (3) described below were conducted on the
pigment-dispersed composition obtained. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0568](1) Measurement and Evaluation of Viscosity

[0569]The pigment-dispersed composition obtained was measured with respect
to a viscosity .sub.η1 of the pigment-dispersed composition
immediately after dispersing, and a viscosity .sub.η2 of the
pigment-dispersed composition when the pigment-dispersed composition was
left to stand at room temperature for one week since dispersing, using an
E-type viscometer, and the degree of viscosity increase was evaluated.
Here, a low viscosity indicates that viscosity increase due to the
dispersant is suppressed, and dispersibility and dispersion stability of
the pigment are favorable.

[0570](2) Measurement and Evaluation of Contrast

[0571]The pigment-dispersed composition obtained was coated on a glass
substrate such that the coating film thickness after drying became 1
μm, whereby a sample was prepared. This sample was placed between two
polarizing plates, and the amount of transmitted light was measured when
the polarizing axes were parallel to each other and when the polarizing
axes were orthogonal to each other. The ratio therebetween was regarded
as contrast (The evaluation method refers to "1990, 7th Color Optics
Conference, 512-Color displaying 10.4''-sized color filter for TFT-LCD"
by UEKI, KOSEKI, FUKUNAGA, YAMANAKA"). A high contrast indicates that the
pigment is uniformly dispersed in the highly-fined state, and thus the
transmittance, i.e., a coloring power, is high.

[0572](3) Evaluation of Precipitation Properties

[0573]The pigment-dispersed composition obtained was coated on a 100
mm×100 mm glass substrate (tradename: 1737, manufactured by
Corning) such that film thickness after drying would be 2.0 μm, and
was dried in an oven at 90° C. for 60 seconds.

[0574]Thereafter, the coating film was subjected to heat treatment
(post-baking) in an oven at 230° C. for 30 minutes, and the
presence or the absence of precipitation (pigment) on the colored coating
film was confirmed with an optical microscope (manufactured by Olympus
Corporation) at magnification of 100-fold. The same post-baking treatment
was repeated, and the presence or the absence of precipitation on the
colored coating film was confirmed every time.

[0575]The evaluation ranks are as follows. A rank having a greater number
indicates decreased tendency to precipitate and more favorable
transparency of the colored coating film.

[0581]From the results shown in Table 3, it is understood that the
pigment-dispersed composition of Examples, which contained the specific
polymer, offered high contrast, suppressed precipitation of pigment when
post-baked, and a small increase in viscosity over time, as compared with
Comparative Examples.

Examples 11 to 19 and Comparative Examples 3 to 5]

[0582]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0583]The components of the composition (2) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0585]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was further
subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and
a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine
equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured
by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated ten
times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0586]<Evaluation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0587]The obtained pigment-dispersed composition was evaluated with
respect to the above items (1) to (3) in the same manner as Example 1.
Results are shown in Table 4.

[0588]From the results shown in Table 4, it is understood that the
pigment-dispersed compositions of Examples, which contained the specific
polymers, offered high contrast, suppressed precipitation of pigment when
post-baked, and a small increase in a viscosity over time, as compared
with Comparative Examples.

Examples 20 to 29 and Comparative Examples 6 to 8]

[0589]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0590]The components of the composition (3) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0592]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was further
subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and
a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine
equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured
by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated ten
times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0593]<Preparation of Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0594]Using the pigment-dispersed composition thus obtained, the following
colored photosensitive composition was prepared.

[0596]The colored photosensitive composition (color resist liquid)
prepared was coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737,
manufactured by Corning) so that x value as an index of color
concentration became 0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90°
C. for 60 seconds (pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating
film was exposed to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20
mW/cm2), and the coating film after light exposure was covered with
a 1% aqueous solution of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured
by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for 60
seconds. After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering, thereby
washing out the developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been
subjected to light exposure and development as described above was
subjected to heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour
(post-baking), as a result of which a colored pattern (colored region)
for a color filter was formed on the glass substrate. In this way, a
colored filter substrate (color filter) was produced.

[0598]The colored photosensitive composition and colored filter substrate
(color filter) produced were evaluated as described below. The results
are shown in Table 5 below.

[0599](1) Contrast

[0600]A polarizing plate was placed on the colored pattern of the colored
filter, and the colored pattern was sandwiched between the plarizing
plate and another polarizing plate. The luminance when the polarizing
plates were parallel to each other, and the luminance when the polarizing
plates were orthogonal to each other were measured using a BM-5
manufactured by TOPCON CORPORATION. The value obtained by dividing the
luminance when the polarizing plates were parallel to each other by the
luminance when the polarizing plates were orthogonal to each other (=the
luminance when the polarizing plates were parallel to each other/the
luminance when the polarizing plates were orthogonal to each other) was
used as an index for evaluating contrast. A higher value indicates a
higher contrast.

[0602]100 g of a 10% aqueous solution of an alkali developer liquid
(tradename: CDK-1, manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Co.,
Ltd.) was weighed, and put in a 150 ml beaker.

[0603]The colored photosensitive composition was coated on a 100
mm×100 mm glass substrate (tradename: 1737, manufactured by
Corning) in a film thickness of 2.5 μm, and dried in an oven at
90° C. for 60 seconds (pre-baked), and the glass was cut into 25
mm×100 nun pieces, and two pieces thereof were stacked with the
coated surfaces of each piece facing outside, whereby a sample for
measurement was prepared.

[0604]Vertical motions of immersing the sample for measurement in the
developer liquid prepared above and pulling out the sample from the
developer liquid were repeated twenty times. The solubility of the
coating film after pre-baking and the presence or absence of a matter
suspended in the developer liquid were evaluated visually.

[0605]The immersion time in the developer liquid in each cycle was from 1
second to 2 seconds.

[0606]The evaluation ranks are as follows. Here, a rank having a greater
number indicates more favorable developability of the coating film.

[0607]--Evaluation Ranks--

[0608]5: The coating film dissolved by from 1 to 10 cycles of the vertical
motions, and a matter suspended in the alkali developer liquid was not
found.

[0609]4: The coating film dissolved by from 11 to 20 cycles of the
vertical motions, and a matter suspended in the alkali developer liquid
was not found

[0610]3: The coating film dissolved by from 1 to 10 cycles of the vertical
motions, but a matter suspended in the alkali developer liquid was found.

[0611]2: The coating film dissolved by from 11 to 20 cycles of the
vertical motions, but a matter suspended in the alkali developer liquid
was found.

[0612]1: The coating film did not dissolve even by 20 cycles of the
vertical motions

[0613](3) Evaluation of Precipitation Properties

[0614]The colored photosensitive composition was coated on a 100
mm×100 mm glass substrate (tradename: 1737, manufactured by Coning)
such that film thickness after drying would be 2.0 μm, and this was
dried (pre-baked) in an oven at 90° C. for 60 seconds. Thereafter,
light exposure at 100 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20 mW/cm2) was
performed using a mask having a line width of 20 μm, and development
was performed at 25° C. using a 1% aqueous solution of an alkali
developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials
Co., Ltd.).

[0615]As described above, the coating film which had been subjected to
light exposure and development treatment was subjected to heating
treatment (post-baking) in an oven at 230° C. for 30 minutes, and
the presence or the absence of precipitation (pigment) on the colored
cured film was confirmed with an optical microscope (manufactured by
Olympus Corporation). Thereafter, the same post-baking treatment was
repeated three times, and the presence or the absence of precipitation on
the colored cured film was confirmed each time.

[0616]The evaluation ranks are as follows. A rank having a greater number
indicates decreased tendency to precipitate and more favorable
transparency of the colored cured film.

[0622]From the results shown in Table 5, it is understood that the colored
photosensitive compositions of Examples offer favorable solubility of the
coating film in an alkali developer liquid, and suppressed precipitation
of the pigment after post-baking, as compared with Comparative Examples.
It is further understood that the color filters of Examples have higher
contrast than Comparative Examples.

Examples 30 to 36 and Comparative Examples 9 and 10]

[0623]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0624]The components of the composition (4) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0626]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) using 0.2 mm φ zirconia beads,
and then further subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000
kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing
machine equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10,
manufactured by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was
repeated ten times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition
was obtained.

[0627]<Preparation of Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0628]Using the obtained pigment-dispersed composition, the following
colored photosensitive composition was prepared.

[0630]The colored photosensitive composition (color resist liquid)
obtained was coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737,
manufactured by Corning) so that x value as an index of color
concentration became 0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90°
C. for 60 seconds (pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating
film was exposed to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20
mW/cm2), and the coating film after light exposure was covered with
a 1% aqueous solution of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured
by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for 60
seconds. After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering to wash
out the developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been subjected
to light exposure and development as described above was subjected to
heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour (post-baking),
as a result of which a colored pattern (colored region) for a color
filter was formed on the glass substrate. In this way, a colored filter
substrate (color filter) was produced.

[0632]The colored photosensitive composition and colored filter substrate
(color filter) produced were evaluated with respect to items (1) contrast
and (2) solubility in an alkali developer liquid and matter suspended in
alkali developer liquid in the same manner as in Example 20. In addition,
evaluation with respect to item (4) voltage holding ratio was also
conducted as follows. The results are shown in Table 6 below.

[0633](4) Voltage Holding Ratio

[0634]The colored photosensitive composition obtained by the above method
was coated on a glass substrate equipped with an ITO electrode
(tradename: 1737, manufactured by Coming) such that film thickness after
drying would be 2.0 μm, and this was dried in an oven at 90° C.
for 60 seconds (pre-baking) Thereafter, the coating film was exposed to
light at 100 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20 mW/cm2) without using a
mask, and developed at 25° C. using a 1% aqueous solution of an
alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic
Materials Co., Ltd.), and this coating film was subjected to heating
treatment in an oven at 230° C. for 30 minutes (post-baking), as a
result of which a glass substrate on which a colored cured film was
formed was obtained.

[0635]Then, the resultant glass substrate on which a colored cured film
had been formed and a substrate having only an ITO electrode disposed
thereon in a predetermined shape, were adhered to each other using a
sealing agent that was mixed with 5 μm glass beads, and a liquid
crystal (MJ971189, manufactured by Merck) was injected, thereby producing
a liquid crystal cell.

[0636]Then, the liquid crystal cell was left in a constant-temperature
bath at 70° C. for 48 hours, and the voltage holding ratio of the
liquid crystal cell was measured with a liquid crystal voltage holding
ratio measurement system (VHR-1A-type (tradename), manufactured by Toyo
corporation).

[0637]The voltage holding ratio is a value of (potential difference of a
liquid crystal cell after 16.7 msec)/(voltage applied at 0 msec).

[0638]The conditions for measurement of the voltage holding ratio are as
follows.

[0639]--Measurement Conditions--

[0640]Distance between electrodes: 5 μm,

[0641]Pulse amplitude of applied voltage: 5 V

[0642]Pulse frequency of applied voltage: 60 Hz

[0643]Pulse width of applied voltage: 16.67 msec

[0644]The evaluation ranks are as follows. Here, a rank having a greater
number is considered to indicate a higher voltage holding ratio and more
improved electronic properties.

[0651]From the results shown in Table 6, it is understood that the colored
photosensitive compositions of Examples offer favorable solubility of the
coating film in an alkali developer liquid, and high voltage holding
ratio of the colored cured film after post-baking, as compared with
Comparative Examples. It is further understood that the color filters of
Examples have higher contrast than Comparative Examples.

Examples 37 to 42 and Comparative Examples 11 to 13]

[0652]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0653]The components of the composition (5) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0655]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was further
subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and
a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine
equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured
by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated ten
times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0656]<Preparation of Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0657]Using the obtained pigment-dispersed composition, the following
colored photosensitive composition was prepared.

[0659]The colored photosensitive composition (color resist liquid)
obtained was coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737,
manufactured by Corning) such that x value as an index of color
concentration became 0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90°
C. for 60 seconds (pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating
film was exposed to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20
mW/cm2), and the coating film after light exposure was covered with
a 1% aqueous solution of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured
by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for 60
seconds. After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering to wash
out the developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been subjected
to light exposure and development as described above was subjected to
heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour (post-baking),
as a result of which a colored pattern (colored region) for a color
filter was formed on the glass substrate and a colored filter substrate
(color filter) was produced.

[0661]The colored filter substrate (color filter) produced was evaluated
with respect to item (1) contrast in the same manner as in Example 20. In
addition, evaluation of item (5) coating unevenness of the colored
photosensitive composition produced was also conducted in the following
manner. The results are shown in Table 7 below.

[0662](5) Evaluation of Slit Coating (Coating Unevenness)

[0663]The coating liquid of the colored photosensitive composition was
coated on a rectangular glass substrate having a width of 230 mm, a
length of 300 mm, and a thickness of 0.7 mm at a coating speed of 50
mm/second, using a slit coating device having a slit head having a slit
opening of 50 μm and an effective coating width of 20 mm, wherein the
gap between the slit and the substrate was adjusted such that the coating
film thickness after drying would be 2 μm. As a result, a coating
surface having a coating width of 21 mm and a length of 260 mm was
obtained. After coating, pre-baking was performed using a hot plate at a
temperature of 90° C. for 60 seconds, and then the number of
streaks as unevenness on the coating surface was counted by visual
observation.

[0664]The evaluation ranks are as follows.

[0665]A: Streaks as unevenness on the coating surface was observed

[0666]B: From one to five streaks as unevenness on the coating surface
were observed

[0667]C: Six or more streaks as unevenness on the coating surface were
observed

[0668]From the results shown in Table 7, it is understood that the colored
photosensitive compositions of Examples are capable of forming an
improved coating surface that does not have coating unevenness. It is
also understood that the color filters of Examples have high contrast, as
compared with Comparative Examples.

Examples 43 to 47 and Comparative Examples 14 to 16]

[0669]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0670]The components of the composition (6) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0672]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was further
subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and
a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine
equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured
by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated ten
times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0673]<Preparation of Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0674]Using the pigment-dispersed composition thus obtained, the following
colored photosensitive composition was prepared.

[0676]The colored photosensitive composition (color resist liquid)
obtained was coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737,
manufactured by Corning) such that x value as an index of color
concentration became 0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90°
C. for 60 seconds (pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating
film was exposed to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20
mW/cm2), and the coating film after light exposure was covered with
a 1% aqueous solution of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured
by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for 60
seconds. After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering to wash
out the developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been subjected
to light exposure and development as described above was subjected to
heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour (post-baking),
as a result of which a colored pattern (colored region) for a color
filter was formed on the glass substrate. In this way, a colored filter
substrate (color filter) was produced.

[0678]The colored photosensitive composition and colored filter substrate
(color filter) produced were evaluated with respect to items (1)
contrast, and (2) solubility in an alkali developer liquid and matter
suspended in alkali developer liquid in the same manner as in Example 20.
The colored photosensitive composition produced was also evaluated with
respect to item (5) coating unevenness in the same manner as in Example
37. The results are shown in Table 8 below.

[0679]From the results shown in Table 8, it is understood that the colored
photosensitive compositions of Examples are capable of forming an
improved coating surface that does not have coating unevenness, and offer
favorable solubility of the coatin film in an alkaline developer liquid,
as compared with Comparative Examples. In addition, it is understood that
the color filters of Examples have high contrast, as compared with
Comparative Examples.

[Examples 48 to 50 and Comparative Examples 17 and 18]

[0680]<Fining of Pigment>

[0681]50 g of C. I. Pigment Red 254, 400 g of sodium chloride, 40 g of a
solution (30% by mass solution) of the specific polymer or comparative
polymer indicated in Table 9 below, and 100 g of diethyleneglycol were
added into a stainless 1 gallon kneader (manufactured by INOUE MFG.,
INC.), and the materials were kneaded for 6 hours. Then, the resultant
mixture was poured into about 3 liter of water. The mixture was agitated
with a high speed mixer for about 1 hour, and then was filtered and
washed with water so as to remove the sodium chloride and the solvent,
and was dried, as a result of which a processed pigment covered with the
specific polymer or comparative polymer was obtained.

[0682]The average primary particle diameter of the processed pigment
obtained was 24 nm.

[0683]The components of the composition (7) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0685]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) using 0.2 mm φ zirconia beads,
and then further subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000
kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing
machine equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10,
manufactured by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was
repeated ten times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition
was obtained.

[0686]<Evaluation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0687]The obtained pigment-dispersed composition was evaluated with
respect to items (1) viscosity, (2) contrast, and (3) precipitation
properties in the same manner as Example 1. The results are shown in
Table 9.

[0688]From the results shown in Table 9, it is understood that the
pigment-dispersed compositions of Examples, which contained the specific
polymers, offer high contrast, suppressed precipitation of pigment when
post-baked, and a small increase in a viscosity over time, as compared
with Comparative Examples.

Examples 51 to 53 and Comparative Examples 19 and 20]

[0689]Using the pigment-dispersed compositions obtained in Examples 48 to
50 and Comparative Examples 17 and 18, the following colored
photosensitive compositions were prepared.

[0690]Using the colored photosensitive composition (color resist liquid)
obtained, a colored pattern (colored region) for a color filter was
formed on the glass substrate in the same manner as in Example 43,
thereby producing a colored filter substrate (color filter).

[0691]The colored photosensitive composition and colored filter substrate
(color filter) produced were evaluated with respect to items (1)
contrast, (2) solubility in an alkali developer liquid and matter
suspended in alkali developer liquid, and (5) coating unevenness in the
same manner as in Example 43. The results are shown in Table 10 below.

[0692]From the results shown in Table 10, it is understood that the
colored photosensitive compositions of Examples are capable of forming an
improved coating surface that does not have coating unevenness, and have
improved solubility of the coating film in an alkaline developer liquid,
as compared with Comparative Examples. It is also understood that the
color filters of Examples have high contrast, as compared with
Comparative Examples.

Examples 54 to 56 and Comparative Examples 21 to 23]

[0693]<Preparation of Resist Liquid>

[0694]The components of the composition described below were mixed to
allow dissolution, thereby preparing a resist liquid.

[0697]A 6-inch silicon wafer was subjected to heating treatment in an oven
at 200° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the resist liquid was coated on
this silicon wafer such that dry film thickness would be 1.5 μm, and
this was dried by heating in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour,
thereby forming an undercoat layer. In this way, a silicon wafer
substrate having an undercoat layer was obtained.

[0698]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0699]The components of the composition (8) described below were mixed,
and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number of
3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a pigment-containing
mixed solution.

[0701]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained above was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 3 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads having a
diameter of 0.8 mm were used, and then further subjected to dispersing
treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min
using a high-pressure dispersing machine equipped with a
pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured by Japan B.E.E
Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated five times, as a result
of which a pigment-dispersed composition was obtained.

[0702]<Preparation of Colored Photosensitive Composition>

[0703]Using the pigment-dispersed composition obtained in the above,
components were agitated and mixed so that the following composition was
obtained, thereby preparing a solution of a colored photosensitive
composition.

[0706]The colored photosensitive composition prepared as described above
was coated on the undercoat layer of the silicon wafer having an
undercoat layer obtained in the above-described manner, thereby forming a
coating film. The resultant was then subjected to heating treatment using
a hot plate at 100° C. for 120 seconds such that dry film
thickness of the coating film became 0.7 μm (pre-baking)

[0707]Then, using an i-line stepper light exposure apparatus (FPA-3000i5+,
manufactured by Canon), light exposure was performed at various light
exposure amounts of from 50 to 1200 mJ/cm2 at a wavelength of 365 nm
through an Island pattern mask having 1.5 μm×1.5 μm patterns.

[0708]Thereafter, a silicon wafer substrate having the light-exposed
coating film thereon was placed on a horizontal turntable of a spin
shower development machine (model DW-30, manufactured by Chemitronics
Co., Ltd.), and was subjected to puddle development at 23° C. for
60 seconds using CD-2000 (manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronics Materials
Co., Ltd.), thereby forming a colored pattern (colored region) on the
silicon wafer.

[0709]The silicon wafer having the colored pattern formed thereon was
fixed to the horizontal turntable by vacuum chuck. While the silicon
wafer was rotated by a rotation device at a rotation number of 50 r.p.m.,
pure water was supplied, by showering, from an ejection nozzle disposed
above the rotation center so as to conduct rinse treatment. Subsequently,
the resultant was spray-dried.

[0710]The minimum light exposure amount at which the post-development film
thickness of a region that had been irradiated with light in the light
exposure step was 95% or more of the pre-exposure film thickness (100%),
was evaluated as a light exposure sensitivity. A smaller value of light
exposure sensitivity indicates higher sensitivity. The evaluation results
are shown in Table 11.

[0711](Evaluation of Color Unevenness)

[0712]The brightness distribution was analyzed according to the method
described below, and color unevenness was evaluated on the basis of the
proportion of the pixels of which the deviation of brightness from the
average is within ±5% to the total number of pixels. The evaluation
criteria are as follows.

[0713]First, the colored photosensitive composition prepared as described
above was coated on the undercoat layer of the silicon wafer having an
undercoat layer obtained in the above-described manner, thereby forming a
coating film. Then, the coating film was subjected to heating treatment
for 120 seconds using a hot plate at 100° C. (pre-baking) such
that dry film thickness of this coating film became 0.7 μm.

[0714]The monochromatic colored cured film thus obtained was irradiated
with light from a side at which an optical microscope equipped with a
digital camera were disposed, and the state of reflected light was
observed with the optical microscope at magnification of 1000-fold. The
digital camera mounted on the optical microscope had 1,280,000-pixel
CCDs, with which the surface of the colored cured film in the reflection
state was observed. The captured image was stored as digital-converted
8bit-bitmap data (digital image). Here, the image-capturing of the
surface of the colored cured film was performed on arbitrarily selected
20 regions.

[0715]The digital-converted data were stored by digitizing each of the
luminances of three primary colors of RGB of the captured image into a
256-step concentration distribution of from 0 to 255.

[0716]Then, the stored digital image was divided in a lattice so that one
section has a size corresponds to 2 μm square on the actual substrate,
and luminance is averaged within each section.

[0717]In the present Example, since images were captured at an optical
magnification of 1000-fold with a digital camera having 1,280,000 pixels,
2 μm on the actual substrate corresponds to 2 mm on the captured
image. Since the image size of the display was 452 mm×352 mm, the
total number of sections in one region was 39,776.

[0718]For all sections of each region, the luminance of any one section,
and the average luminance of all adjacent sections adjacent thereto were
measured. Any section of which the difference from the average luminance
of adjacent sections was 5 or greater was considered as a significant
difference section. The total number of significant difference sections
per region averaged over all regions, and the ratio of the total number
of significant difference sections per region averaged over all regions
relative to the total number of sections (39776) in each region were
calculated.

[0719]The evaluation criteria are as follows. The evaluation results are
shown in Table 11.

[0724]From the results shown in Table 11, it is understood that the
colored photosensitive compositions of Examples have high sensitivity,
and colored cured films obtained from the colored photosensitive
compositions of Examples do not have color unevenness, as compared with
Comparative Examples.

[0725]Liquid crystal display devices respectively provided with the color
filters obtained in Examples 30 to 47 were produced. As a result, it was
found that the resultant liquid crystal display devices have excellent
contrast without color unevenness, and have improved image display
properties.

[0726]Further, solid-state image pickup devices respectively provided with
the color filters obtained from the colored photosensitive compositions
of Examples 54 to 56 were produced. As a result, it was found that the
resultant solid-state image pickup devices did not have color unevenness,
and had excellent color resolving power.

[0727](Synthesis of Polymer 1)

[0728]14.0 g of M-11 (exemplary compound M-11 shown above), 105.0 g of
polymethyl methacrylate having a methacryloyl group at a terminal (AA-6:
manufactured by Toagose Co. LTd.), 21.0 g of acrylic acid, 5.6 g of
n-dodecyl mercaptan, and 327 g of methoxypropyleneglycol were introduced
into a nitrogen-substituted three-necked flask, and the contents of the
flask were agitated with an agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by
Shinto Scientific Co. Ltd.), and heated to 75° C. while blowing
nitrogen into the flask. 1.1 g of 2,2-azobis(dimethyl 2-methylpropionate)
(V-601, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added
thereto, and the resultant mixture was agitated under heating at
75° C. for 2 hours. Thereafter, 1.1 g of V-601 was further added,
and agitated under heating for 2 hours. Then, the temperature was raised
to 90° C., and the contents of the flask were agitated under
heating for 2 hours, as a result of which a 30% solution of polymer 1 was
obtained.

[0729]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 19,000.

[0730]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 117 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/15.

[0731](Synthesis of Polymer 2)

[0732]14.0 g of M-11, 105.0 g of a hydroxyethyl methacrylate oligomer
added with 5 mol caprolactone (PRAXEL FMS, manufactured by Daicel
Chemical Industries, Ltd.), 21.0 g of acrylic acid, 3.3 g of n-dodecyl
mercaptan, and 327 g of methoxypropyleneglycol were introduced into a
nitrogen-substituted three-necked flask. The contents of the flask were
agitated with an agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by Shinto
Scientific Co. Ltd.), and heated to 75° C. while blowing nitrogen
into the flask. 1.2 g of 2,2-azobis(dimethyl 2-methylpropionate) (V-601,
manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added thereto,
and the resultant mixture was agitated under heating at 75° C. for
2 hours. Thereafter, 1.2 g of V-601 was further added, and agitated under
heating for 2 hours. Then, the temperature was raised to 90° C.,
and the contents of the flask were agitated under heating for 2 hours, as
a result of which a 30% solution of polymer 2 was obtained.

[0733]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 15,000.

[0734]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 117 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/15.

[0735](Synthesis of A-5)

[0736]Monomer A-5 was synthesized in the same manner as in Synthesis
Example 1.

[0737](Synthesis of Polymer 3)

[0738]14.0 g of M-11, 105.0 g of A-5 synthesized in the above, 21.0 g of
acrylic acid, 3.1 g of n-dodecyl mercaptan, and 327 g of
methoxypropyleneglycol were introduced into a nitrogen-substituted
three-necked flask. The contents of the flask were agitated with an
agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co. Ltd.),
and heated to 75° C. while blowing nitrogen into the flask. 1.2 g
of 2,2-azobis(dimethyl 2-methylpropionate) (V-601, manufactured by Wako
Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added thereto, and the resultant
mixture was agitated under heating at 75° C. for 2 hours.
Thereafter, 1.2 g of V-601 was further added, and agitated under heating
for 2 hours. Then, the temperature was raised to 90° C., and the
contents of the flask were agitated under heating for 2 hours, as a
result of which a 30% solution of polymer 3 was obtained.

[0739]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 23,000.

[0740]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 117 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/15.

[0741](Synthesis of Polymer 4)

[0742]28.0 g of benzyl methacrylate, 91.0 g of A-5 synthesized in the
above, 21.0 g of acrylic acid, 4.2 g of n-dodecyl mercaptan, and 327 g of
methoxypropyleneglycol were introduced into a nitrogen-substituted
three-necked flask, and the contents of the flask were agitated with an
agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co. Ltd.),
and heated to 75° C. while blowing nitrogen into the flask. 1.0 g
of 2,2-azobis(dimethyl 2-methylpropionate) (V-601, manufactured by Wako
Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added thereto, and the resultant
mixture was agitated under heating at 75° C. for 2 hours.
Thereafter, 1.0 g of V-601 was further added, and agitated under heating
for 2 hours. Then, the temperature was raised to 90° C., and the
contents of the flask were agitated under heating for 2 hours, as a
result of which a 30% solution of polymer 4 was obtained.

[0743]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 21,000.

[0744]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 117 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/15.

[0745](Synthesis of Polymer 5)

[0746]Polymer 5 was synthesized in the same manner as the synthesis of
polymer 4, except for changing of the starting materials to 28.0 g of
benzyl methacrylate, 105.0 g of A-5 synthesized in the above, 7.0 g of
acrylic acid, and 3.8 g of n-dodecyl mercaptan.

[0747]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 23,000.

[0748]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 39 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/5.

[0749](Synthesis of Polymer 6)

[0750]Polymer 6 was synthesized in the same manner as the synthesis of
polymer 4, except for changing the starting materials to 14.0 g of benzyl
methacrylate, 84.0 g of A-5 synthesized in the above, 42.0 g of acrylic
acid, and 4.5 g of n-dodecyl mercaptan.

[0751]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 18,000.

[0752]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 234 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 10/60/30.

[0753](Synthesis of Comparative Polymer 1)

[0754]14.0 g of M-11, 105.0 g of polymethyl methacrylate having a
methacryloyl group at a terminal (AA-6: manufactured by Toagose Co.
LTd.), 21.0 g of methacrylic acid, 5.6 g of n-dodecyl mercaptan, and 327
g of methoxypropyleneglycol were introduced into a nitrogen-substituted
three-necked flask, and the contents of the flask were agitated with an
agitator (Three One Motor, manufactured by Shinto Scientific Co. Ltd.),
and heated to 75° C. while blowing nitrogen into the flask. 1.1 g
of 2,2-azobis(dimethyl 2-methylpropionate) (V-601, manufactured by Wako
Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added thereto, and the resultant
mixture was agitated under heating at 75° C. for 2 hours.
Thereafter, 1.1 g of V-601 was further added, and agitated under heating
for 2 hours. Then, the temperature was raised to 90° C., and the
contents of the flask were agitated under heating for 2 hours, as a
result of which a 30% solution of comparative polymer 1 was obtained.

[0755]The weight average molecular weight of the resultant high-molecular
compound was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using
polystyrene as a standard substance, as a result of which the weight
average molecular weight was found to be 22,000.

[0756]The acid value per solid matter as determined by titration using
sodium hydroxide was 98 mgKOH/g, and the composition ratio (mass ratio)
of the repeating units as calculated from 1H-NMR was 20/65/15.

[0757]Polymers 1 to 6 obtained above are (A) specific graft polymers
according to the invention, and each of polymers 1 to 6 is a polymer
formed by copolymerization of at least: any one of AA-6, PRAXEL FM5, or
A-5, each of which is a macromonomer, and acrylic acid.

[0758]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0759]The components of the composition indicated in Table 12 below were
mixed, and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a revolution number
of 3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing a
pigment-containing mixed solution.

[0760]Subsequently, the mixed solution obtained was subjected to
dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing machine
(DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) using 0.2 mm φ zirconia beads,
and then further subjected to dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000
kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing
machine equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10,
manufactured by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was
repeated ten times, as a result of which a pigment-dispersed composition
was obtained.

[0761]<Evaluation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0762]The evaluations described below were conducted on the obtained
pigment-dispersed composition. The results are shown in Table 12.

[0763](1) Measurement and Evaluation of Viscosity

[0764]The pigment-dispersed composition obtained was measured with respect
to a viscosity .sub.η1 of the pigment-dispersed composition
immediately after dispersing, and a viscosity .sub.η2 of the
pigment-dispersed composition when the pigment-dispersed composition was
left to stand at 60° C. for 10 days since dispersing, using an
E-type viscometer, and the degree of viscosity increase was evaluated.
Here, a low viscosity indicates that viscosity increase due to the
dispersant is suppressed, and dispersibility and dispersion stability of
the pigment are favorable.

[0765](2) Measurement and Evaluation of Contrast

[0766]The pigment-dispersed composition obtained was coated on a glass
substrate such that the coating film thickness after drying became 1
μm , whereby a sample was prepared. This sample was placed between two
polarizing plates, and luminance when the polarizing axes were parallel
to each other and luminance when the polarizing axes were orthogonal to
each other were measured using a BM-5 manufactured by TOPCON CORPORATION.
The ratio of luminance when the polarizing axes were parallel to each
other/luminance when the polarizing axes were orthogonal to each other
was regarded as contrast A high contrast indicates that the pigment is
uniformly dispersed in the highly-fined state.

[0770]Basic graft polymer: Polymer obtained by amidation reaction of
polyethylene imine with a polyester obtained by ring-opening
polymerization of ε-caprolactone by dodecanoic acid, the basic
graft polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 20,000

[0771]PGMEA: 1-Methoxy-2-propyl acetate

##STR00039##

[0772]From Table 12, it is understood that Examples 57 to 70, in which the
specific graft polymers according to the invention were used, exhibit
small increase in viscosity over time, favorable dispersion stability,
and high contrast, and provided finely dispersed pigment particles, as
compared with Comparative Examples.

[0773]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0774]The components of each of the composition (11) to (14) described
below were mixed, and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a
revolution number of 3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing
a pigment-containing mixed solution.

[0780]Subsequently, each of the mixed solutions obtained above was
subjected to dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing
machine (DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads
having a diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was
further subjected to dispersing treatment using a high-pressure
dispersing machine equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism
(NANO-3000-10, manufactured by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.) at a pressure of
2,000 kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min. This dispersing treatment
was repeated ten times, as a result of which pigment-dispersed
compositions (11) to (15) were obtained.

[0781]<Preparation of the Photocurable Composition>

[0782]Using the obtained pigment-dispersed composition, photocurable
compositions having pigment concentrations of 35% by mass and 42% by
mass, respectively, were prepared.

[0783]<Preparation of Color Filter Using Photocurable Composition>

[0784]The resultant photocurable composition (color resist liquid) was
coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737, manufactured by
Corning) such that x value as an index of color concentration became
0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90° C. for 60 seconds
(pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating film was exposed
to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20 mW/cm2), and the
coating film after light exposure was covered with a 1% aqueous solution
of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic
Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for a predetermined time.
After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering to wash out the
developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been subjected to
light exposure and development as described above was subjected to
heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour (post-baking),
as a result of which a colored pattern (colored resin coating film) for a
color filter was formed on the glass substrate. In this way, a colored
filter substrate (color filter) was produced.

[0785]<Evaluation of Color Filter>

[0786]Evaluations described below were conducted on the colored filter
substrate (color filter) produced. The results are shown in Table 13.

[0787](1) Contrast

[0788]A polarizing plate was placed on the colored resin coating layer of
the colored filter substrate, and the colored resin coating layer was
sandwiched between the plarizing plate and another polarizing plate. The
luminance when the polarizing plates were parallel to each other, and the
luminance when the polarizing plates were orthogonal to each other were
measured using a BM-5 manufactured by TOPCON CORPORATION. The value
obtained by dividing the luminance when the polarizing plates were
parallel to each other by the luminance when the polarizing plates were
orthogonal to each other (=the luminance when the polarizing plates were
parallel to each other/the luminance when the polarizing plates were
orthogonal to each other) was used as an index for evaluating contrast. A
higher value indicates a higher contrast.

[0789](2) Development Residue

[0790]The development time is varied to be 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 50
seconds, and 70 seconds, respectively. The developed substrates were
observed with respect to whether portions that had not been exposed to
light remained on the glass substrate, using an optical microscope. A
higher score is more favorable.

[0791]5: Residue was not present at all with a development time of 20
seconds

[0792]4: Residue was not present at all with a development time of 30
seconds or more, but a residue was present with a development time of 20
seconds

[0793]3: Residue was not present at all with a development time of 50
seconds or more, but residue was present with a development time of 30
seconds

[0794]2: Residue was not present at all with a development time of 70
seconds or more, but residue was present with 50 seconds or less of the
development time

[0795]1: Residue was present in an portion that had not been exposed to
light, even with a development time of 70 seconds

[0796](3) Evaluation of Redissolvability

[0797]As an alternative method for evaluating whether or not defects in
slit coating caused by unwanted matter occur, the following evaluation of
redissolvability was performed.

[0798]The photocurable composition of each of Examples and Comparative
Examples was coated on a 50 mm×50 mm glass substrate by a spin
coating method such that film thickness after drying would be 1 μm,
and was air-dried for 60 minutes. Thereafter, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate
(hereinafter also referred to as PGMEA.), which is used in the
photocurable composition, was dripped by 1 μL, droplets. Grade A was
assigned to a case in which dissolution was achieved with 6 droplets or
less, grade B was assigned to a case in which dissolution was achieved
with from 7 to 8 droplets, and grade C was assigned to a case in which
redissolution was not achieved even with 9 droplets or more.

[0799]In addition, an occurrence rate of defect caused by unwanted matter
in slit coating being 0% corresponded to a film that dissolved with 6
PGMEA droplets or less in the redissolvability test.

[0805]From Table 13, it is understood that, when Examples 71 to 74 having
a pigment concentration of 35% by mass are compared with Comparative
Example 26 having a pigment concentration of 35% by mass and Examples 75
to 78 having a pigment concentration of 42% by mass were compared with
Comparative Example 27 having a pigment concentration of 42% by mass, the
Examples, in which the pigment dispersion liquids (11) to (14) containing
the specific graft polymers according to the invention were used, have
high contrast and small development residue, and are excellent in PGMEA
redissolvability, as compared with the Comparative Examples.

[0806]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0807]The components of each of the compositions (16) to (19) described
below were mixed, and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a
revolution number of 3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing
a pigment-containing mixed solution.

[0813]Subsequently, each of the mixed solution obtained above was
subjected to dispersing treatment for 6 hours with a beads dispersing
machine (DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads
having a diameter of 0.3 mm were used. Thereafter, the mixed solution was
further subjected to dispersing treatment using a high-pressure
dispersing machine equipped with a pressure-reducing mechanism
(NANO-3000-10, manufactured by Japan B.E.E Co. Ltd.) at a pressure of
2,000 kg/cm3 and a flow rate of 500 g/min. This dispersing treatment
was repeated ten times, as a result of which pigment-dispersed
compositions (16) to (19) were obtained.

[0814]<Preparation of Photocurable Composition>

[0815]Using the obtained pigment-dispersed composition, photocurable
compositions having pigment concentrations of 35% by mass and 42% by
mass, respectively, were prepared.

[0816]<Preparation of Color Filter Using Photocurable Composition>

[0817]The resultant photocurable composition (color resist liquid) was
coated on a 100 mm×100 mm glass substrate (1737, manufactured by
Corning) such that y value as an index of color concentration became
0.650, and this was dried in an oven at 90° C. for 60 seconds
(pre-baking) Thereafter, a whole surface of the coating film was exposed
to light at 200 mJ/cm2 (illuminance: 20 mW/cm2), and the
coating film after light exposure was covered with a 1% aqueous solution
of an alkali developer liquid (CDK-1, manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic
Materials Co., Ltd.), and allowed to stand for a predetermined time.
After the standing, pure water was sprayed by showering to wash out the
developer liquid. Then, the coating film which had been subjected to
light exposure and development as described above was subjected to
heating treatment in an oven at 220° C. for 1 hour (post-baking),
as a result of which a colored pattern (colored resin coating film) for a
color filter was formed on the glass substrate. In this way, a colored
filter substrate (color filter) was produced.

[0818]<Evaluation of Color Filter>

[0819]Evaluations were conducted for the produced colored filter substrate
(color filter), in the same manner as in Example 71. The results are
shown in Table 14.

[0825]From Table 14, it is understood that, when Examples 79 to 81 having
a pigment concentration of 35% by mass were compared with Comparative
Example 28 having a pigment concentration of 35% by mass and Examples 82
to 84 having a pigment concentration of 42% by mass were compared to
Comparative Example 29 having a pigment concentration of 42% by mass, the
Examples in which the pigment dispersion liquids (16) to (18) and (20)
containing the specific graft polymers according to the invention are
used have high contrast, small development residue, and excellent PGMEA
redissolvability, as compared with the Comparative Examples.

[0826]<Preparation of Resist Liquid>

[0827]The components of the composition described below were mixed to
allow dissolution, thereby preparing a resist liquid.

[0830]A 6-inch silicon wafer was subjected to heating treatment in an oven
at 200° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the resist liquid described above
was coated on the silicon wafer such that dry film thickness would be 1.5
μm, and this was dried by heating in an oven at 220° C. for 1
hour, thereby forming an undercoat layer. In this way, a silicon wafer
substrate having an undercoat layer was obtained.

[0831]<Preparation of Pigment-Dispersed Composition>

[0832]The components of each of the compositions (21) and (22) described
below were mixed, and further mixed by agitation for 3 hours at a
revolution number of 3,000 r.p.m. using a homogenizer, thereby preparing
a pigment-containing mixed solution.

[0835]Subsequently, each of the mixed solutions obtained above was
subjected to dispersing treatment for 3 hours with a beads dispersing
machine (DISPERMAT, manufactured by GETZMANN) in which zirconia beads
having a diameter of 0.8 mm were used, and then further subjected to
dispersing treatment at a pressure of 2,000 kg/cm3 and a flow rate
of 500 g/min using a high-pressure dispersing machine equipped with a
pressure-reducing mechanism (NANO-3000-10, manufactured by Japan B.E.E
Co. Ltd.). This dispersing treatment was repeated five times, as a result
of which pigment-dispersed compositions indicated in Table 15 were
obtained.

[0836]<Preparation of Photocurable Composition (Coating Liquid)>

[0837]Using each of the pigment dispersion liquids obtained in the above,
components were agitated and mixed such that the following composition
was obtained, thereby preparing a photocurable composition.

[0839]<Preparation of Color Filter Using Photocurable Composition and
Evaluation thereof>

[0840]The photocurable composition prepared as described above was coated
on the undercoat layer of the silicon wafer having an undercoat layer
described above, thereby forming a colored layer (coating film). Then,
this was subjected to heating treatment using a hot plate at 100°
C. for 120 seconds such that dry film thickness of the coating film
became 0.7 μm (pre-baking)

[0841]Then, using an i-line stepper light exposure apparatus (FPA-3000i5+,
manufactured by Canon), light exposure was performed at various light
exposure amounts ranging from 50 to 1200 mJ/cm2 at a wavelength of
365 nm through an Island pattern mask having 1.5 μm×1.5 μm
patterns.

[0842]Thereafter, a silicon wafer substrate haing the light-exposed
coating film thereon was placed on a horizontal rotating table of a spin
shower development machine (model DW-30, manufactured by Chemitronics
Co., Ltd.), and was subjected to puddle development at 23° C. for
60 seconds using CD-2000 (manufactured by FUJIFILM Electronic Materials
Co., Ltd.), thereby forming a colored pattern on the silicon wafer.

[0843]The silicon wafer having the colored pattern formed thereon was
fixed to the horizontal turntable by vacuum chuck. While the silicon
wafer was was rotated by a rotation device at a rotation number of 50
r.p.m., pure water was supplied, by showering, from an ejection nozzle
disposed above the rotation center so as to conduct rinse treatment.
Subsequently, the resultant was spray-dried.

[0844]<Evaluation of Color Unevenness>

[0845]In the same manner as the preparation of the silicon wafer having an
undercoat layer described above, a resist liquid was coated on a glass
substrate so as to form a glass substrate having an undercoat layer, and
the photocurable composition was coated on the glass substrate having an
undercoat layer, thereby forming a colored layer (coating film). Then,
this was subjected to heating treatment using a hot plate at 100°
C. for 120 seconds such that dry film thickness of the coating film
became 0.7 μm (pre-baking) The brightness distribution of this coated
glass substrate was analyzed from images that had been captured by a
microscope, MX-50 (manufactured by Olympus Corporation).

[0846]The brightness distribution was analyzed, and color unevenness was
evaluated on the basis of the proportion of the pixels of which the
deviation of brightness from the average is within ±5% to the total
number of pixels. The evaluation criteria are as follows.

[0847]--Evaluation Criteria--

[0848]A: the proportion of pixels of which deviation from the average is
within ±5% is 99% or more of the total number of pixels

[0849]B: the proportion of pixels of which deviation from the average is
within ±5% is from 95% to less than 99% of the total number of pixels

[0850]C: the proportion of pixels of which deviation from the average is
within ±5% is less than 95% of the total number of pixels

[0851]From Table 15, it is understood that Examples 86 to 88, in which the
dispersion liquids containing the specific graft polymers according to
the invention are used, have favorable properties with respect to color
unevenness, as compared with Comparative Examples.

[0852]All publications, patent applications, and technical standards
mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if such individual publication, patent application, or
technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.